Being Assertive

Assertiveness is defined as the ability to express yourself openly and honestly without denying the rights of others. This engaging new video shares the "how to's" of assertive communication and identifies other common communication styles that can cause difficulties in the workplace.

Being Assertive reacquaints us with the team at the Museum. Lauren, Jeremy, Warren, Greg and Peta are all working furiously towards a special opening night exhibition. There is a great deal at stake. They need to make a positive impression on potential sponsors in order to cement their plans for expansion.

However, when it's discovered that their big night clashes with the neighboring Art Gallery's "food for Thought" exhibition, all their plans are thrown into disarray. It creates a major scheduling problem, which puts everyone under pressure. Their already tenuous communication skills are seriously put to the test. The result is a complete communication breakdown with an emotional outburst from Lauren, which leaves them all devastated.

However, with the knowledge, determination and encouragement from team member, Peta they struggle through some valuable lessons about communication. Eventually they resolve their behavioral problems by learning how to communicate assertively.

Opening night is a tremendous success. They receive their funding and they take with them some valuable lessons, which will help them all grow personally and professionally. Those lessons include:

• The definition of assertiveness
• The characteristics of passive, passive aggressive, aggressive and assertive
• The ability to define their own behavior
• Why we should be assertive
• Knowing what you want
• Knowing how to say "no"
• Effective listening
• Barriers to assertiveness