Leadership >> Assertiveness vs Aggressiveness
In this world of competition and rat race, the best weapon that can help us win the battle of Life can be one’s own attitude. This is the only thing that can be mould as per situation and people. Being positive is the key to all successful human being.
Within this positive attitude, lie the two most important aspects of human behavior - assertiveness and the other aggressiveness. Assertiveness helps us prove our point and be confident about what one believes. But, if we overdo this same behavior we might end up being aggressive instead of being assertive. We need to strike the right balance between these two aspects which can help us in our day to day interaction with people and thus help us get through many kinds of situation.
Assertive behavior is one when one expresses his/her opinion openly and honestly but at the same time giving due respect to the person’s opinion we are talking to. This kind of an attitude shows the honesty in a person, expresses the person’s values and principles of life, but at the same time shows how balanced the person can be. It portrays a fair personality who is firm in one’s belief but at the same time is ready to make room for others.
In our daily interaction with people, it becomes very important for us to put forth our values. It helps set expectations with people we work with and also proves our credibility. A person, who is not assertive, can either be passive or aggressive.
Both are of extreme end of the behavior. A passive person will never have an opinion about anyone or anything. This kind of a person either stays totally within oneself, not expressing any thoughts or opinions or he may be tainted with opinions given by other people.
Whereas, an aggressive person is one who do not care about how anyone else feels and thrusts his opinion on others. He goes to the point of bulldozing what anyone feels or believes and tries to prove his point.
An assertive person is the perfect balance between the two. This kind of a person will listen to others’ opinion as well as not change his own. He will know how to be firm but at the same time not disrespect what the other person believes. He can manage a situation well and handle any kind of a personality in case of any dispute.
This quality of “assertiveness” is one of the main criteria seen in a people manager. In corporate world, where you have to meet deadlines and targets and make business across the globe with variety of people and situations, an assertive manager is the one who can go through it all. There is no room for aggression, as this can only achieve temporary victory but in the long run people cannot accept such forced decisions.
“Be assertive” is the advice for all when you have to prove yourself, be it to your boss or to your friend.
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