Being assertive

Public speakers need to develop their assertiveness skills, especially when dealing with difficult people. We look at the skills you need.

The assertive public speaker

Public speakers need to develop their assertiveness skills, especially when dealing with difficult people. Training presentations, business presentations and press conferences can all lead to challenging situations.

Speaking Well In Public’s courses can include a practical Assertiveness element. Contact us and we’ll be pleased to discuss your needs.

We react to emotional messages from each other, but we respond to intelligent behaviour.

Assertive behaviour is separate from aggressive, passive or passive-aggressive behaviour in that it completely side-steps emotional involvement and helps you to reach conclusions and compromises in dealing with family and relationship matters, at work as a manager or employee, when making a complaint about bad service etc.

Studying assertiveness will help you to develop more confidence, awareness of the rights and responsibilities of all concerned, improve relationships, reduce stress, gain greater control and reduce fear, so winning greater achievements and results.

Signs of assertive behaviour include positive, confident and clear language, a neutral, calm, reasonable and businesslike tone of voice, and open, relaxed and calm body language and eye contact.

Active Listening is a major element of assertiveness. Your rights in conversation include to be listened to, to choose your own feelings and emotions, to put yourself first on occasions, to say “no” at times and to have and express an opinion. We all have these rights and responsibilities, therefore the assertive person realises that the other person has the same rights, too.

Our courses cover various techniques for staying in control of your feelings, and techniques for standing your ground in the face of bullying, manipulation, sympathy-seeking, emotional blackmail and steam-rollering.

You’ll learn about the value of active listening and using professional language, a neutral tone of voice, positive non-verbal communication and eye contact.

You’ll also look at techniques for confronting an issue with another person, and regaining control of a situation.

Speaking Well In Public offer training in Being Assertive, ideal for public speaking and leadership. Contact us and we’ll be pleased to discuss your needs.