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ssertive people are confident in themselves and their abilities, and they don’t back down when it comes to defending what they believe. They know who they are, where they want to go with their life, and how to get there.
Assertive people are comfortable making decisions and taking on responsibility for those decisions without always needing approval from others first. -Assertive people also have a strong sense of self-awareness; when assertiveness is an issue, the other person may not recognize that it’s about them until someone else points out this fact.
Oftentimes assertiveness can be confused or mixed up with aggression because they share some characteristics: both require speaking one’s mind even if it means being confrontational at times, standing your ground no matter what happens but the difference lies in the motive behind the person’s words.
Assertive people are not overtaken by aggression, they use it to get what they want and need even when that means offending someone or saying something unpopular. -Assertiveness requires being in touch with one’s feelings so assertive people can always explain how and why their actions were taken.
Assertive people don’t back down from a fight but also know when to leave aside differences for the sake of maintaining relationships.
Assertive people need to be self-confident and promote themselves but not in an arrogant manner.
Assertive people are confident of their abilities, assertiveness is being open about what you believe with the other person. – Assertive people have a drive for living up to their potential and want others around them to also do so.
Being assertive can make someone seem aggressive or pushy sometimes because they don’t worry about offending anyone. They just say what needs to be said without regard for how it will affect the listener. That’s why some perceive assertiveness as aggression when it may just come from pure intent. In general, both types involve speaking one’s mind even if that means getting into arguments at times or becoming confrontational yet assertive people do so without being mean or aggressive.
Assertiveness is a personality trait that may manifest in different ways depending on the person and situation, but it’s generally characterized by self-confidence. Being assertive can be considered an expression of one’s sense of autonomy as well as a way to promote equality within society.
Assertive people are confident of their abilities, assertiveness is being open about what you believe with the other person. – Assertive people have a drive for living up to their potential and want others around them to also do so – Being assertive can make someone seem aggressive or pushy sometimes because they don’t worry about offending anyone. They just say what needs to be said without regard to consequences.
Assertiveness is a personality trait that may manifest in different ways depending on the person and situation, but it’s generally characterized by self-confidence. Being assertive can be considered an expression of one’s sense of autonomy as well as a way to promote equality within society.
Assertive people are confident of their abilities, assertiveness is being open about what you believe with the other person. – Assertive people have a drive for living up to their potential and want others around them to also do so – Being assertive can make someone seem aggressive or pushy sometimes because they don’t worry about offending anyone. They just say what needs to be said without regard to consequences.
Characteristics of an Assertive Person
Know What Respect Is
Assertive people know what respect is. They don’t let themselves be walked all over. An assertive person will never keep their thoughts inside or bottle up emotions. If they are mad, then they say it in a respectful way that doesn’t attack the other person but instead addresses what is bothering them.
Assertiveness also means being honest with yourself about your wants from life without any regrets. When you think of something and make an effort for it, there’s no reason to feel guilty if things didn’t work out because at least you tried!
Empathy
Assertive people have empathy for others. They can put themselves in other people’s shoes and understand that it is easy for people to feel scared, frustrated, or hurt sometimes. Empathy also means letting go of any guilt you might be feeling if someone else doesn’t want a relationship with you because we’re all different!
Assertiveness can also include respectfulness toward your thoughts and feelings without apologizing for them! You are allowed to make mistakes as long as you learn from them so don’t beat yourself up about anything just stay focused on doing better next time.
Accept Responsibility
An assertive person will take responsibility when they’ve done something wrong. When an assertive person realizes that they screwed up, not only do they apologize, but they’ll also promise to do better next time.
Relate With Others
Assertive people relate with others by being interested in what’s going on with them. They allow themselves to be vulnerable while maintaining their boundaries, and they’re able to communicate openly about how they feel without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
You will also notice that assertive people ask for what they want so if you don’t know the answer to something, just say “I’m not sure” instead of making up an answer just because it sounds good! Assertive people are often more successful than other types of personality when it comes to a variety of things including relationships.
Speaking Up For Yourself
Assertive people speak up for themselves by expressing their feelings, thoughts, or ideas. They don’t take things personally and they stand up for themselves in a way that doesn’t involve yelling or aggression. Assertive people are confident enough to speak out when something is bothering them but they’re also able to hear the perspective of others while still standing firmly on what it is that’s important to them.
In an assertive person, you will find someone who can balance being upfront about how he feels with not feeling threatened by other people’s opinions and beliefs which allows him/her to have better relationships than if s/he was either too passive or aggressive.
Compromise
Assertive people compromise, knowing that it’s not just about them. They find a middle ground and can give up something they might want to appease someone else or make their relationship better.
An assertive person typically knows his/her limits, has clear boundaries and values as well as being capable of letting go when necessary because s/he doesn’t cling on for dear life. This also makes the person more resilient than those with less healthy ways of coping with conflicts such as withdrawal, passive aggression, or aggressive attacks.
Sincerity
Assertive people are sincere and authentic because they can express their feelings, thoughts, and opinions.
They don’t withhold what’s on their minds for fear of hurting someone else or being called out as wrong. They can be forthcoming in a way that is mature and genuine.
Assertive people also can say “no” when necessary without feeling guilt or shame (e.g., not drinking alcohol if s/he doesn’t want it) while still understanding when it’s appropriate to do so (i.e., having dinner with an alcoholic friend).
Flexibility
An assertive person knows how to adapt well in different situations because he/she has good self-esteem, healthy boundaries, emotional intelligence, and empathy.
Confidence
Assertive people are confident in their opinions. They don’t need to agree with others for them to feel good about themselves, but they can disagree without being confrontational or passive-aggressive.
Negotiation skills
An assertive person knows when negotiation tactics should be applied.
Value, Accept and Understand Themselves
Assertive people value themselves, accept who they are, and understand that other people have different opinions.
They don’t need to agree with others for them to feel good about themselves, but they can disagree without being confrontational or passive-aggressive.
Emotional Independence
Assertive people are emotionally independent, which means they can be happy, sad, or angry even if the people around them are not.
They don’t need to agree with others for them to feel good about themselves, but they can disagree without being confrontational or passive-aggressive.
Empathic Understanding
Assertive people have empathy and understanding of other’s feelings. They take responsibility for their actions while also respecting the rights of other individuals.
An assertive person knows when negotiation tactics should be applied (e.g., asking politely for something rather than demanding it). A fully functioning human is self-aware; an assertive person values who he/she is and understands that different opinions exist within society.
Ability to Communicate
Assertive people can communicate with others to express themselves and get what they want. They are aware of how their words can affect others, so they do not interrupt people while they speak or act aggressively toward them.
Assertive people communicate rationally without being aggressive, passive-aggressive, or confrontational. They share thoughts with honesty and empathy instead of saying whatever comes to mind; assertively stated opinions need not come across as unchangeable truths (e.g., “I’m right because I said it first!). The goal is understanding rather than winning an argument for the sake of proving one’s point.
Self-Control
Assertive people have self-control. They don’t allow anger or frustration to take over, and they do not give in to their feelings of jealousy.
The assertive person knows that it’s okay to have negative emotions; the key is expressing them appropriately so as not to hurt others. Assertiveness does not require a total denial of one’s own needs and wants, but rather being able to ask for what one wants without feeling guilty about it.
Draw Boundaries and Limits
Assertive people know how to draw boundaries and limits. They understand that there is a time for standing up for themselves, even if it means being assertive in their own needs or opinions. Assertiveness gives them the ability to take care of themselves in ways which they might otherwise not be able to do so while appeasing others by listening to what other people have to say before making decisions.
Final Thoughts on what are the characteristics of an assertive person?
Assertive people are confident, direct communicators who do not feel the need to be constantly agreeable. They know their boundaries and limits, and how to assert themselves when they need it to take care of themselves. Assertiveness is a skill that can lead them towards success in all aspects of life from relationships at home or work, as well as standing up for what’s right. It takes confidence, courage, and strength- but being assertive means never forgetting one’s own needs either!
Being an assertive person may seem challenging if you have always been more passive by nature; however, with time this behavior will become second nature (and rewarding!). The most important thing about being assertive is understanding your limitations while also knowing yourself.
Do you want to learn more about what are the characteristics of an assertive person? Check out these Best Books to Improve Assertiveness.
Meet Maurice, a staff editor at Bigger Investing. He’s an accomplished entrepreneur who owns multiple successful websites and a thriving merch shop. When he’s not busy with work, Maurice indulges in his passion for kayaking, climbing, and his family. As a savvy investor, Maurice loves putting his money to work and seeking out new opportunities. With his expertise and passion for finance, he’s dedicated to helping readers achieve their financial goals through Bigger Investing.
