Be assertive

However much management knowledge you accumulate, it will count for naught if you do not have the confidence to put the theory you learn into practice. Doing that relies to a large extent on your ability to communicate effectively with your team. Handling and nurturing work relationships is one of your key skills, and an ability to think, speak and act assertively will enhance your reputation and success as a manager. If you want to motivate staff, earn their loyalty and respect and enable them to achieve the best possible results for your practice, then developing confidence in communication and your own ability to deal effectively and calmly with situations needs to be high up on your priority list. It all sounds so simple. So why do we not choose to act assertively and why do we find this so difficult?

In any situation where two people are trying to communicate they both have certain needs and wants and in many cases these needs and wants may be in conflict (for example the receptionist cannot ensure every task is completed the moment the dentist requires it). Assertiveness is all about being able to express yourself in an open, non-confrontational way and get the best out of your work relationships. It is about the proper use of power, and being able to stand up for your own opinions, rights and requirements whilst respecting those of others. Yet assertiveness does not come naturally to many of us because we can confuse addressing issues directly with being aggressive, or because we have in the past turned to passive behaviour in such situations to avoid confrontation.