Branch managers often feel that no one in the higher management is listening to them or, if they are listening, they did not act on what they said. Managers also feel that on many occasions they are saying "yes" where they would prefer to say "no". And at other times, they have greater difficulty in getting the attention of their bosses. The list of such tiring moments could be numerous. If some of these and related issues are bothering you, perhaps it is time for you to be more assertive. If you desire the extra edge in your day-to-day interactions with others, you need to understand more about `assertive behavior' and that is what this article talks about.
Traditionally human beings are known to behave in three modes: Submissive, aggressive, and assertive. Psychologists have of late added another mode labeled as `passive-aggressive.' As the name suggests, submissive behavior confines one's actions to certain narrow margins. Such people often do work that they do not wish to do but are inwardly resentful of the same. As against this, aggressive people communicate with others in an `uncivil-tone' and tread on others' rights. It is only the assertive people who speak up or stand up for themselves or others without diminishing someone else's rights. It is thus believed that assertive behavior aids enormously in establishing a climate that nourishes effective relationships, though it may not guarantee success in life. "Why assertive behavior?" is the obvious question that demands explanation here. To find the answer, let us first take a deeper look at these basic modes of behavior and examine how each one of them matters in our interactions with others.
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