The Importance Of Assertiveness

Assertiveness is an important communication skill that allows people to stand up for their own values, rights, and beliefs in a polite way that is respectful to others. To fully grasp the importance of being assertive you must know what it is, how to be assertive, how it rates to personal behavior and the ability to make choices, how it relates to the expectations of living in a community, and how changes in behavior and environment can promote assertiveness.

Assertiveness has many definitions. However, they all basically convey the same meaning. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the term assertive is defined as “behaving confidently and able to say in a direct way what you want or believe.” Sometimes it may seem harder than other times

“Behaviorally, assertiveness is all about asking for what you want in a manner that respects others. Assertive people don't shy away from defending their points of view or goals, or from trying to influence others. In terms of affect, assertiveness means reacting to positive and negative emotions without aggression or resorting to passivity” (Psychology Today). The more assertive that someone is, the more likely that person is to make their own decisions without letting other people sway their beliefs. It is important for people to feel comfortable voicing their own opinions, especially in certain situations. Being more assertive can help someone to make the best decision for themselves in tough situations. On the other hand, the less assertive someone is the more likely they are to avoid speaking their mind. This can lead to that person being put in a situation that they knew was not good just because they couldn’t speak up. Overall, being more assertive in certain situations could save someone from the consequences

If there was no one in a community to be assertive, then nothing would ever get done. It is important to have leaders in a community to make decisions. However, you have to speak up to do that. Can you imagine living in a community with no one to make decisions and enforce them?

Changes in behavior and environment can promote assertiveness. These changes in behavior include greater personal satisfaction, self respect, and earning respect from those around you (MTSCIL). People that are happier with themselves tend to have an easier time voicing their opinions. This is why these behavioral changes can promote assertiveness. Changes in the environment can also promote assertiveness. This includes all environmental aspects of someone’s life, such as relationships, personal life, and careers (MTSCIL). Your environment shapes who you are. The healthier these aspects of your life are, the more assertive you can be in them.

In conclusion, assertiveness plays a major role in an individual’s life as well as the quality of life of an entire community. It helps people to make the best decisions for themselves and others. If there was no one to be assertive, our society could not function