Assertiveness
Over the last twenty years we have worked closely with many of our clients to help them encourage and develop assertive behaviour among their managers. Our work in this area has provided us with the opportunity to observe managers in action, to notice the behaviours which deliver the most effective results, and to take note of the approaches which are most successful in helping individuals to increase the range of their own behavioural options. Today, we draw on this experience to deliver highly successful programmes which help course participants from all levels to enjoy the considerable benefits available to those who are able to employ a truly assertive approach.
Programme Style and Content
While the basic concepts of assertiveness can be conveyed relatively quickly we often find that an apparent first grasp of the topic will turn out to be unhelpfully shallow and often does not translate into useful behavioural change. Course participants can struggle with pre conceived notions of assertiveness and sometimes with deep rooted behaviour patterns which are, in one way or another, at odds with truly assertive conduct.
Our approach is to deliver highly memorable and highly participative workshop style sessions which are supported by 1:1 tuition and coaching where required. Our workshops allow course participants to develop a sound grasp of the key principles, to explore those principles from a number of perspectives, to realistically asses their own behaviours, and to identify specific situations where an assertive approach will enhance their approach and increase their chances of achieving their goals. Tuition and coaching sessions provide a precisely targeted means of helping individuals to develop their personal work style in relation to specific situations, individuals, and teams.
In terms of content a typical workshop will include a balance of:
- A strong ‘rapport / group building phase’ to establish an open and constructive learning environment
- Core assertiveness theory / training to convey the key messages, lessons, and techniques associated with the topic
- High impact learning activities designed to help delegates explore the concept and practice of assertiveness in an enjoyable and memorable setting
- Individual feedback and review to help participants to relate the theory to their own behavioural style
- A thorough Action Planning phase to guide the transfer of learning to the work place
Lasting Impact
We believe that a key factor in terms of delivering lasting benefits through assertiveness training is to help participants to thoroughly immerse themselves in the topic and to do so in a way that is highly memorable and, dare we say it … fun. All of our modules incorporate activities which help us to achieve this aim including some or all of the following examples:
- Practical Team Tasks – these activities range in scale from 20 minute discussion based tasks to multi faceted projects spread over a period of hours – all activities give participants the opportunity to observe their own and others behaviour within the broader context of team communication and to develop a greater understanding of the role of assertive behaviour within everyday workplace relations.
- ‘Interactive Theatre’ – this approach takes the form of actors playing out prepared scenarios which delegates can then ‘step into’ to take over roles / try out different approaches, similar in some ways to improvisation acting. The activity contains plenty of scope for humour, enjoyment, and challenge and provides an excellent means of focussing in on specific aspects of assertiveness in order to develop and / or reinforce key points.
- Role Plays – our approach is to introduce role plays after a rapport / group building phase and when course participants are ready to take some risks in front of their fellow delegates and to review in an open and honest fashion. In terms of content we provide pre-prepared options to help us explore general principles and develop examples suggested by course participants to help us explore issues and relationships which are of particular relevance to the delegates on each programme.
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