In a previous article, 'Assertive Behavior - What is it really?’ I introduced the behavioral value of assertiveness.

This article will list the benefits that you will notice as you become more aware of your assertiveness pattern and preferred style.

If you want to be more confident, positive and cooperative in your approach to others, and if you wish to improve your ability to influence, then assertiveness is a must.

Your career and the performance of those around you little benefit from learning the skills to express your faults, feelings and beliefs without violating the rights of others.

Improving your work place confidence will help you to understand the impact and assertive style can have on defusing problem situations.

Assertiveness behavior will help you talk about your needs and ideas, and the outcome you would prefer, without arousing defensiveness in the person or group addressed.

That is, there is a win-win solution for all parties.

Some people have a natural tendency to exhibit assertiveness tendencies as a part of their negotiating style and their everyday communication style, while others need to develop these characteristics.

Others, of course, change style according to circumstances, and there is a place for this, also.

So, what are the in the immediate benefits of assertiveness training?

It makes you more effective

It increases your confidence and self-esteem

YOU

Enjoy more balanced lifestyle

Manage colleagues and friends effectively and empathetically

Increased work effectiveness and productivity

Feel more in control of your daily activities

Reduce stress

Develop assertiveness body language

Develop assertiveness language

Develop an assertiveness vocal image

Develop the assertiveness skills to give feedback, critique and praise

Learn to recognize your own self-talk, and challenge and change internal dialogue

Develop proactive rather than really reactive behaviors to manage aggressive and passive behaviors in others

Understand and assert your rights

To make any form of change in your behavior, it is at first necessary for you to identify your predominant behavioral style, under most circumstances, that is the challenging circumstances as well as those you feel comfortable in.

You also need to be able to recognize assertive, aggressive and passive behaviors in yourself and others, so that you can champion individual rights and responsibilities.

There are times when your assertiveness will give another person courage to assert themselves in the face of a more aggressive person.

Even if you do not always feel so confident when confronted, remember, the saying: "Fake it till you make it."

All our behaviors start first as decisions in our mind before they become outward manifestations.

When you act with assertiveness you will be able to say 'no' with confidence and not feel guilty, and give the other person an alternative for when a particular job, for example, can be discussed.

Each day take one of the above points and make a deliberate effort to gain greater confidence in asserting yourself.