Assertiveness

The driving culture is, um, assertive, to put it very mildly.

Yes.

Assertive's a good word.

Pedestrian crosswalks, even the clearly painted zebra crossings, are often treated as loose suggestions by drivers.

Right.

We are at emilypostinstitute.

Our first question is titled, Assertive but Not Rude.

Good afternoon, Claire, Lizzie, and Dan.

I'm an etiquette consultant and teach many classes tailored to groups of young women.

Passivity says what you need matters and what I need doesn't.

Assertiveness says I can honor you and honor myself.

That's often the space where gentleness lives.

It allows you to tell the truth without attacking, to set a boundary without punishing, to disagree without shaming, and to speak clearly without trying to control the other person's response.

So what are these leaders actually getting wrong when they communicate with their teams?

So one of my favorite seminars to do for companies is called Assertive Communication.

And there are four parts that I really push.

You have to be open.