All of us need assertiveness skills in our day to day dealing and it is one skill that is so important that it can work as a differentiating factor between success and failure.

There are several questions that you could ask yourself to get more assertiveness skills in your dealings.

Do I clarify purposes and objectives?
Do I stay on track and according to the requirements of the task?
Do I offer alternatives and compromise effectively?
Do I help establish responsibilities?
Do I help identify common goals and visions?
Do I look at things from a 360 degree, taking everyone's interests into consideration?

Assertiveness Communication is also called Adaptive Communication:

In a business or personal scenario one needs to be able to build effective inter-functional relationships. Relationships that will enable you to build bridges that will enhance your credibility.

Look closely at the characteristics and style of the other person's style of communication. Then enumerate the communication styles that you can match with their effectively to get you the desired objective.

Use the SAVE Methodology to sound the assertiveness bells:

This is one method that will help you remain assertive perpetually.

Solve problems as they sprout up. Everyone sits up and takes notice of someone who helps and generated solutions and alternatives to tackle concerns.

Address concerns immediately. If you are not comfortable or overly happy about something then voice your concern. Do not let it fester within and then break out into an avalanche.

Voice your opinions and viewpoints. At times we do not voice our opinions and then regret it later. Do not let that happen to you.

Empower yourself with assertiveness by asking questions. Seek clarifications when in doubt as this will ensure that you are on the right track and generate further ideas.

Assertiveness also includes being a responsive listener:

We all know that assertiveness is all about speaking right, but not many people realize that it is also about being an attentive and active listener.

Review the last conversation that you had with someone and check if you did the following things in order for that conversation to flow assertively.

Acknowledge

Did you appropriately acknowledge what the opposite person was talking about with verbal nods or appropriate body language?

Paraphrase

Did you go on to paraphrase the information coming your way, to ascertain that both of you were on the same wave length.

Reflect

After the conversation is done reflect on the way you reacted and the outcome got. In case the outcome was not as you had reflected, then try and get to the bottom of what happened.

Learn to manage the way others perceive you:

There might be times when others will think or perceive your professional style to be too passive, submissive or hesitant or overly aggressive, critical and overbearing. This is then the right time for you to portray your true assertiveness side. Assertiveness is another way of telling the world that you are pro-active, professional and responsible.