Communication skills are the foundation to assertive management. Most assertive management training is designed to teach business managers and supervisors ways to interact within the workplace to achieve optimum results. At the same time, assertive management is also taught to improve and enhance interpersonal skills with friends, family and every personal interaction, from a hairdresser to a grocery store clerk.

Influence and Control

Assertive behavior is about influencing and controlling people at all levels without alienating them. In comparison, aggressive behavior shows dominance, while passive behavior is a sign of submission. Assertive behavior is a middle ground, using open and honest communication to express opinions and increase problem-solving capabilities. By knowing boundaries, you are able to react appropriately to any situation or problem. It is all about how you relate and react to others and changing situations.

Communicate and Listen

A good communicator is a good listener as well. By listening, you are able to get to the core of issues, empathize with problems raised and facilitate solutions. Listening is the way to understand what others are trying to tell you. Assertive management training teaches you how to: reduce hostile verbal exchanges; build rapport without compromising your position; understand opinions held by others; and facilitate solutions without hostility or residual anger.

The Training Platform

According to the California Institute of Technology's Industrial Relations Center, through assertive management training, you will learn to: say "no" when appropriate; empower others for accountability; maintain control; take criticism without being defensive; influence others without alienating; and handle incidents. This approach is reinforced by Boston University's Corporate Education Center's positive assertive training. Its course outline is to: learn to say "no"; get people to listen; state your case; resolve conflict; and negotiate outcomes.

Assertive Management Benefits

Assertive management training is a building block for both your professional and private life. By delegating, empowering and influencing, your stress in every situation is reduced. In many respects, your life is made easier. Not only do you learn how to stay calm in situations, you learn how to manage passive, aggressive and defensive behavior in others through communication and problem solving. As you increase your credibility, improve morale and exercise authority, you will increasingly establish your influence.

Set Goals, Tally Results

There is always room for improvement. Once assertive management training is complete, devise your own self-improvement plan. Keep a journal: List proactive meeting participation; goals achieved; performance improvements; tasks successfully delegated. When shortcomings are recognized, identify the actual results you want and create a plan to achieve them.