Assertiveness often gets a bad rap. People who are self-confident and forceful can be cast as pushy and annoying. But when balanced with other critical skills, being assertive can help you excel at other things:
- Fostering teamwork: Teams thrive when their members are able to express not-always-popular points of view. Use your self-confidence to set a tone that allows other people to speak up.
- Leading change: Constructive change requires bold moves. Be assertive and break through the resistance that often arises during a change effort.
- Acting with integrity: When coupled with honesty, assertiveness gives you the courage to stand up for what you know is right.
Adapted from “The One Skill All Leaders Should Work On” by Scott Edinger.