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The IUP Journal of Soft Skills

Assertiveness – A Win-Win Approach to Business Communication

Article Details

Pub. Date	: June, 2018
Product Name	: The IUP Journal of Soft Skills
Product Type	: Article
Product Code	: IJSS51806
Author Name	: Mitashree Tripathy
Availability	: YES
Subject/Domain	: Management
Download Format	: PDF Format
No. of Pages	: 09

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Abstract

Communication is a part of everyday life which guides all our relationships. Hence, the importance of communication is not restricted merely to family or friends but also has enormous significance in the business world. A large number of studies suggest that the professional life and its outcomes are decisively influenced by the way we communicate with subordinates, colleagues and managers. We often get stressed in our professional field due to a number of reasons. While we do not really want to hurt the sentiments of others, still we end up being rude or harsh, resulting in breakdown in communication and rupturing professional relationships. All efforts to bridge the gap and rebuild the relationship do not yield satisfying results. There are several reasons for such breakdown in communication. Stress is not the only reason for communication breakdown. Essentially, if the flow of communication can take various modes without the pressure of any external factor, it could be avoided. Hence, it is highly critical that words chosen to communicate, especially during testing situations, crucially match the needs of the participants and demands of the situation. This paper studies the different kinds of communication styles and focuses most essentially on the assertive style, mainly in business. It also provides examples as guidance to assertive communication and imparts knowledge on saying 'no' assertively.

Description

The flow of communication is governed by numerous factors. The most important participants in the process of communication are the sender and the receiver. Communication starts when the sender has some ideas that originate in his mind. Soon the ideas get converted into words and the process is termed encoding. The sender uses various channels, both auditory and visual, and takes forward the messages to be conveyed. The receiver receives the message through the process of decoding and provides feedback. Hence, a successful communication process takes place and the message is conveyed. But sometimes there occur some hindrances in the process of communication between the sender and the receiver which completely blocks the flow of communication. This might occur due to several reasons understood as barriers which do not allow the successful delivery of the message to the receiver.