Knowing how to communicate clearly and respectfully can completely transform your personal and professional relationships. With assertive communication, you can convey your ideas confidently, avoiding misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts, while conveying confidence.
In this guide, we will help you understand what this technique is, learn about its main benefits, and teach you how to apply it effectively in your daily life, including in messages, chats, and professional interactions.
What is assertive communication?
As we highlighted above, assertive communication is the ability to express feelings, opinions, and thoughts in a clear, objective, and respectful manner. Being assertive does not mean “being right,” but rather conveying the message in a way that is understood by the other party, avoiding misunderstandings.
This technique can be useful in different everyday scenarios, from informal conversations to professional interactions, such as meetings, chat messages, and corporate emails. Putting it into practice is the best way to maintain good relationships with those around you and ensure more efficient communication.
Benefits of assertive communication
Adopting and developing this skill brings several advantages to your routine, both personally and professionally. See:
Greater clarity in interactions
We have already discussed this throughout the content, but it is important to reinforce: assertive communication allows ideas to be conveyed directly and objectively. This ensures that the interlocutor understands the message quickly. Consequently, it avoids noise that disrupts the flow of conversation.
Increased efficiency and productivity
Teams that are trained and adopt this technique align customer expectations clearly and objectively. This avoids confusion, rework, and errors that consume time on a daily basis. The result is a faster, more productive, and well-organized workflow.
Emotional control
Assertive communication helps maintain emotional balance when dealing with customers and colleagues, even in delicate situations. This way, it is possible to express ideas in a thoughtful manner, without increasing stress. This contributes to more constructive and less conflictual interactions.
Strengthening relationships
By communicating assertively, you create an environment of respect and trust in different interactions. This applies to both customers and coworkers, strengthening collaboration and creating stronger, longer-lasting bonds over time.
How to develop assertive communication?
Developing a skill like this requires dedication and attention to several key points in your behavior. Here are some tips that can help you in this process:
- Self-awareness: First and foremost, it is important to understand how you usually communicate and what emotions arise in each situation. Only then will it be possible to identify areas for improvement and strengthen your confidence when expressing yourself.
- Practice active listening: Listening attentively, without interrupting or formulating hasty responses, is essential. This shows respect for the other person and allows you to construct a clearer and more appropriate response.
- Use clear and objective language: Avoid beating around the bush or using vague expressions, as they can cause misunderstandings. Prefer direct phrases that convey your message without leaving room for different interpretations.
- Control your tone of voice and posture: Communication is not only verbal, but also physical. A balanced tone of voice and open posture convey confidence without appearing aggressive.
- Daily practice in different contexts: Apply assertive communication in small interactions, such as messages, quick meetings, or informal conversations. With constant practice, it becomes a natural habit.
In addition to face-to-face interactions, assertiveness is also essential in written communication, especially in digital environments.
Using assertive communication in chats, messages, and emails
In written communication, such as emails, chats, and messages, there is no way for the recipient of the message to analyze your tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language, which can lead to misunderstandings.
To prevent this from happening, it is essential that you adopt certain strategies during the conversation, such as: using short, clear sentences; avoiding abbreviations that may confuse the reader; showing empathy; and choosing words that convey cordiality without losing objectivity.
Mistakes that hinder assertive communication
It is not enough to practice the technique daily; you also need to be aware of certain behaviors that can compromise your communication. Here are some of the most common mistakes that should be avoided at all costs:
Being too aggressive or too passive
When communication becomes an imposition or submission, it loses its effectiveness and ends up generating unnecessary conflicts. Therefore, it is essential to maintain balance in order to convey the message with respect and clarity.
Ignore active listening
Contrary to what some people think, speaking without listening to the other person hinders dialogue and increases the risk of miscommunication. To avoid this type of problem, pay attention to the other person and listen actively to what they are saying.
Using long and confusing messages
Remember, too much information and vague terms make it difficult to understand, which ends up wasting time and even leading to misinterpretations. Whenever possible, use objective phrases to convey your message without ambiguity.
Best courses for developing assertive communication
If you are interested in deepening your knowledge and improving your communication skills, consider investing in specialized courses. Here are some suggestions available on Udemy:
1. Assertive Communication — Dante Bonetti
Our first suggestion is Dante Bonetti’s assertive communication course, one of the best-selling and highest-rated courses on the platform. It presents a practical method that helps you identify different communication styles and skills, such as clarity and active listening.
Through short and objective lessons, you learn how to apply the technique in a wide variety of scenarios, including negotiations, problem solving, and professional interactions. In addition, the course offers a certificate of completion, lifetime access, and 9 downloadable content items.
2. Communication and Public Speaking | The COMPLETE Guide
Another excellent option is Gustavo Farias’ Communication and Public Speaking course, which teaches public speaking techniques, storytelling, and body language so that you can overcome shyness and learn to convey impactful messages in presentations, negotiations, etc.
In addition to the main content, which is over 6 hours long, students will have access to three extra courses on leadership, negotiation, and productivity, making it a great alternative for those looking to improve their communication and increase their influence.
3. Assertive and Objective Communication: Written, Oral, and Visual
Finally, you can choose to purchase Wellington Cardoso’s Assertive and Objective Communication course, aimed at those who want to learn how to apply techniques such as 5W2H and readability methods in emails, reports, and presentations.
With high marks and good acceptance among students, the course combines theory and practice in just over an hour of direct content that is applicable in everyday professional life.