Roddame Angelo Erispe

Clinical clerk – group 1

Assignment on Assertiveness

 Assertive behavior may not be appropriate in all workplaces. Some organizational and
national cultures may view assertive behavior as rude or even offensive. Research has
also suggested that gender can have a bearing on how assertive behavior is perceived,
with men more likely to be rewarded for being assertive than women. Assertive behavior
enables a person to act in his own best interests, to stand up for himself without undue
anxiety, to express his honest feeling comfortably, or to exercise his own rights without
denying the rights of others.

 Advantages of assertiveness: it helps us feel good about ourselves and others, leads to
the development of mutual respect with others, increases our self-esteem, helps us
achieve our goals, minimizes hurting and alienating other people, reduces anxiety,
protects us from being taken advantage of by others, enables us to make decisions and
free choices in life and enables us to express, both verbally and non-verbally, a wide
range of feelings and thoughts, both positive and negative.

 Assertive behaviors are being open in expressing wishes, thoughts and feelings and
encouraging others to do likewise, listening to the views of others and responding
appropriately, regardless of whether you agree, accepting responsibilities and delegating
to others, regularly expressing appreciation of others for what they have done or are
doing, being able to admit to mistakes and apologize and maintaining self-control.

 Steps to being assertive are knowing your human needs: biological needs, safety and
security, love, belonging, understanding, significance, self-esteem, growth, autonomy.
Pay special attention to those universal needs that you think are not important to you.
Explore if you are using self-deception or denial and why (I didn’t want that promotion
anyway.). Connect your severe negative emotions (anger, anxiety, depression, envy
etc.) to the fear of your specific needs not being met.

 After doing an assertive act, you may feel shame or guilt, especially if you’re rejected.
You may assume it’s not okay to have your needs met, or you think you don’t deserve it.
With every small exposure will realize that it feels good to meet your needs and that it’s
okay to do so. Be patient and persistent. Reinforce the healthy belief that you have
needs like everyone else and that it’s your basic right to meet them in a healthy and
respectful manner. Dig deep why you really feel guilt or shame; what kind of errors were
made in your upbringing that put a tough emotional burden on your assertiveness. It’s a
great chance to talk back to your inner critic and consciously decide to take good care of
yourself and your needs. Acknowledge guilt or shame, make room for it, write down why
it’s so tough, talk to other people and then let it go.