Assertiveness at work is often mistaken for aggression, leading many to fall into the 'Pleasanteeism' trap. Discover five strategies to navigate this common pitfall, enhancing your communication skills and fostering a more balanced professional persona.
People-pleasing tendencies are strongest in jobs
Assertiveness is often associated with confrontation and arguments
- Dodging confrontation at work can lead to you doing more work, less well, and getting burnt out as a result
- Be more assertive in the workplace by asking for what you need, saying no to things you simply don’t have capacity to take on
Find the right balance
The aim is to be supportive and helpful, while staying productive
- Remain a team player, but track your own productivity, optimize your performance, and take note of consequences when you take on too much
- Understand how you can bring the max value to your team and organization you work for
Why is it easier to people-please than be assertive?
People think being assertive comes with negative consequences
- They expect damage to their relationships and personal brand
- We attach a lot of self-worth to our work
- Some behaviors are classic people-pleasing habits: taking on a task with a short-term deadline, taking on too many projects/assignments, not speaking up, questioning current ways
Talk through your priorities
Your manager is there to help you balance your workload so that what you work on helps the company or organization achieve its goals
How can you be more assertive in your job?
Not being assertive does not mean you’re inflexible.
Find a Role Model
Someone you admire and who is as assertive as you would like to be. Ask them how they think about assertiveness and how they do it.
Reframe assertiveness
Focus on the value you want to bring to the company.
Work on your communication
Communicate in a positive and constructive way
