In today's ever-changing and competitive business environment, it is vital for women to develop and maintain an assertive, confident voice in business and professional settings. Assertiveness techniques, when used effectively and appropriately, can enhance almost every aspect of your job and your life. Knowing which assertiveness tools and techniques to use, and understanding exactly how and when to use them, is absolutely critical to professional success. AMA's comprehensive assertiveness training program for women is a 3-day seminar that addresses the unique and often complex challenges women face in the workplace today. This course provides women with the assertiveness techniques essential for professional survival and advancement in their industry. With these practical, proven skills, women can feel secure and confident that they are sending the right professional signals that elicit the right responses from colleagues and stakeholders. These assertiveness skills will help you command respect while remaining respectful of others and handle almost any workplace situation you're likely to encounter without seeming overbearing or aggressive.
AMA's assertiveness training for women gives you the valuable opportunity to practice fundamental and advanced assertiveness skills and to share your concerns, challenges, and experiences with other women in a highly supportive and encouraging learning environment. You will thoroughly assess your current leadership style and then apply the new skills and tools you learn directly to one of your own real, challenging situations. You will receive detailed, constructive feedback from both peers and instructors, and you will have the chance to refine your skills through videotaped practice sessions. By the end of this comprehensive seminar, you will return to work with a complete, flexible, and practical plan for achieving the kind of assertiveness and professional presence that your position and career demands.
Who Should Attend:
Experienced managers and seasoned professionals with four or more years of professional experience who want to build on their existing strengths, resolve conflicts smoothly and constructively, and exercise greater influence on others. This course is particularly valuable for women seeking to advance their careers and develop a stronger professional presence.
How You Will Benefit:
- Recognize and understand the characteristics of the four distinct assertiveness styles
- Assess your individual assertiveness style and determine its effectiveness in various situations
- Demonstrate assertiveness techniques using supportive and respectful communication behaviors
- Develop a comprehensive action plan to overcome at least two personal obstacles to assertiveness
- Learn how to capitalize on the unique strengths of your leadership style while minimizing weaknesses
- Flex your leadership style preference and adapt it to interact most effectively and assertively with diverse individuals
- Incorporate assertiveness techniques into everyday practices and habitual responses
What You Will Cover:
Foundations of Assertiveness
- Distinguishing clearly between passive, assertive, and aggressive behaviors in professional contexts
- Discussing how socialization and cultural factors affect your behavior in the business environment
- Identifying personal work situations and specific obstacles that challenge your assertive behavior
Assessing Your Assertiveness Style
- Identifying your assertiveness style preferences and default patterns
- Assessing and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your particular assertiveness style
- Knowing how your personal value systems impact your assertiveness and professional presence
- Identifying practical ways to reduce role conflict and internal contradictions
Getting Comfortable in Your Own Skin
- Exploring the assertive components of becoming truly comfortable in your own S.K.I.N.: Support self-esteem, Know yourself, Initiate dialogue, and Negate negative self-talk
Assertive Communication Skills Specific to Women in Business
- Understanding the three key components of communication and the factors that influence their impact
- Differentiating the verbal and nonverbal communication styles of men and women in professional settings
- Applying active and reflective listening skills to build and strengthen assertiveness techniques
- Listening and responding assertively to feedback and criticism without becoming defensive
Assertiveness Techniques, Strategies, and Practical Exercises
- Demonstrating a five-step model to express assertive language clearly and confidently
- Exploring four special assertive techniques: broken record technique, fogging, negative assertion, and negative inquiry
- Saying "no" to requests and surviving the consequences without guilt
- Responding effectively to common put-down statements and demeaning comments
- Practicing assertiveness through videotaped role-playing sessions with professional feedback
Assertive Case Study Workshop
- Reviewing the strategic uses of models, techniques, and tools for real professional situations
- Applying learned assertiveness techniques to analyze and develop plans around your own real, must-solve situations
- Receiving detailed, constructive feedback from instructors and peers on your plans for addressing your specific challenging situations
Assertiveness and Professional Leadership
- Assessing different leadership styles and determining your natural style
- Understanding the five key dimensions of centered leadership and authentic presence
- Identifying practical, new ways to use assertive leadership in both your personal and professional life
Leading a Balanced and Fulfilling Life
- Learning practical techniques for dealing with and managing anger
- Preventing and coping effectively with stress
- Applying a four-step model to improve your personal level of work-life balance
- Discussing the nature and value of women's support networks and professional resources
- Planning for continuing assertiveness growth and development
Course Outline and Learning Objectives:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Define Assertiveness and Identify the Characteristics of the Four Assertiveness Styles
- Assess Individual Assertiveness Style and Its Effectiveness Across Situations
- Demonstrate Assertive Techniques Using Supportive Communication Behaviors
- Develop an Action Plan to Overcome At Least Two Personal Obstacles to Assertiveness and Incorporate Techniques into Everyday Practices
LESSON ONE
Assertiveness Overview
- Define Assertiveness and Its Core Components
- Distinguish Clearly Among Passive, Assertive, and Aggressive Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors
- Identify Personal Work Situations and Obstacles That Challenge Assertive Behavior
- Discuss How Socialization Affects Your Behavior in the Business Environment
Assessing Yourself and Your Style
- Assess and Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Assertiveness Style
- Learn to See the Relationship Between Your Personal Values and Your Behavior
- Analyze How to Handle Compliments More Comfortably and Gracefully
- Describe the Assertive Components of Becoming "Comfortable in Your Own Skin"
LESSON TWO
Assessing Yourself (continued)
- Assess and Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Assertiveness Style
- Learn to See the Relationship Between Your Values and Your Behavior
- Analyze How to Handle Compliments More Comfortably
- Describe the Assertive Components of Becoming "Comfortable in Your Own Skin"
Assertive Techniques and Practical Exercises
- Demonstrate a Five-Step Model to Express Assertive Language Clearly and Confidently
- Describe Six Special Assertive Techniques: Broken Record, Fogging, Negative Assertion, Negative Inquiry, Free Information, and Self-Disclosure
- Say "No" and Survive the Consequences Without Guilt
- Respond to Common Put-Down Statements and Remain Professional
LESSON THREE
Assertive Techniques and Practices (continued)
- Demonstrate a Five-Step Model to Express Assertive Language in Complex Situations
- Describe Six Special Assertive Techniques and Their Applications
- Say "No" and Survive with Confidence
- Respond to Common Put-Down Statements Effectively
Key Communication Skills Necessary for Assertiveness
- Identify the Three Key Components of Communication and Factors That Influence Their Impact
- Differentiate the Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Styles of Men and Women in Professional Settings
- Listen Assertively and Responsively
- Handle Feedback and Criticism Effectively Without Defensiveness
LESSON FOUR
Key Communication Skills Necessary for Assertiveness (continued)
- Identify the Three Components of Communication and Factors That Influence Their Impact
- Differentiate Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Styles of Men and Women
- Listen Assertively and Respond Effectively
- Handle Feedback and Criticism Effectively and Professionally
Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Desired Personal and Professional Balance
- Pinpoint Personal Internal Obstacles to Assertiveness and Develop Concrete Strategies to Overcome Them
- Name at Least Five Specific Techniques to Deal with and Manage Anger
- Identify Practical Techniques for Preventing and Coping with Stress
- Apply a Four-Step Model to Improve Your Personal Level of Work and Life Balance
- Discuss the Nature and Value of Women's Support Networks and Available Resources
Action Plan Development
- Develop an Assertive Approach to Two Current Challenging Situations
- Establish a Comprehensive Action Plan for Achieving Your Professional and Personal Goals
