Quote:
Originally Posted by ngdawg
Teaching assertiveness has to start with the reasons one isn't. They stem from fears, but those fears are varied. Next, question whether those fears are logical and helpful. The answer will most likely be no. -snip- Take one chance that has held you back. Fly in a plane, use a public bathroom, tell a stranger they look great. Cross a line once you never would have thought you could. Didn't die? Cool...cross another one.
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Good stuff, ng. I like your explanation of why people might not be assertive... it boils down to fear. And it's true; while I've rarely had a problem with assertiveness, the only solution for me in terms of getting over it, is to just do the thing that scares me the most. After a very short time I realize that whatever it was, didn't kill me... and I'm more and more able to do the same thing, until the fear is completely banished.
I think this is one reason why some companies have team-building/ropes courses or whatever... to build trust among the team members, but also to give individuals the chance to test themselves and push beyond their own fear thresholds.
Jinn, are you teaching a group or an individual? What kind of audience do you have (are they willing, or resistant)?