What to Say to Be Assertive
To Be Assertive Without Coming Across as Hostile, Use “I” Statements. Make It a Habit to Say Things Like “I Think … ” or “I Feel …. ” Never Use Aggressive...
To be assertive without coming across as hostile, use “I” statements. Make it a habit to say things like “I think … ” or “I feel …. ” Never use aggressive language or phrases like “You never… ” or “You always…. ” These statements trigger other people, leaving them frustrated, and they shut down conversation.
How do I start being assertive?
- Assess your style. Do you voice your opinions or remain silent? …
- Use ‘I’ statements. …
- Practice saying no. …
- Rehearse what you want to say. …
- Use body language. …
- Keep emotions in check. …
- Start small.
How do you be assertive nicely?
- Practice. …
- Use “I” statements. …
- Focus on specific behavior rather than making it personal. …
- Say “no” cushioned with a compliment. …
- Have one consistent message. …
- Don’t be apologetic or self-effacing. …
- Look confident. …
- Speak calmly.
Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.
