Being assertive is not the same as being aggressive. If a person is aggressive, they are often trying to intimidate the other person into doing what they want. Often, this is driven by anger and by poor communication skills.
Being assertive, on the other hand, is about being willing to stand up and ask, firmly, for what you want. It is not driven by anger, but instead by a desire to communicate clearly what your desires are. Here is a comparison between aggressive communication and assertive communication:
Tami is having a problem with subordinate employees not meeting deadlines and she wants them to start adhering to those deadlines.
An Example of Aggressive Communication is:
During a staff meeting Tami appears angry, her face is red, her voice is raised and her hands are balled into fists. “You WILL meet your deadlines or you will be fired! Do you all understand me!” she exclaims.
An Example of Assertive Communication is:
During a staff meeting Tami appears even-tempered, her voice and her mannerisms are calm. She stands in front of the group and speaks in an even yet firm tone of voice: “It has come to my attention that as a group we have been having problems meeting deadlines. Deadlines are set because we are not the only ones affected by your work. So, I need you to all meet the deadlines and adhere to the schedule. If this is a problem or you run into a hiccup, then please let me know well before the deadline so that I can arrange for additional help for you or can make other arrangements. This is really important, folks, and I do not want to have to begin disciplinary consequences for people who aren’t meeting deadlines.” (This article is electronically protected – Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)
As you can see, both approaches are dynamically different from each other. In the first aggressive example, Tami was out of control and threatening her staff. This approach actually makes them less likely to work with her or to fall right into line to meet their responsibilities. In the second example, Tami uses “I” statements, which acknowledge her own needs, whilst making her requirements clear. She keeps her statements firm, but shows a willingness to help her employees and encourages them to contact her if they are having trouble meeting the deadlines.
