Talk the Talk
Communicate assertively. Smile – warm & friendly – relaxed – comfortable eye contact.
Traits of Assertive Communicators
• Clearly state needs and wants
• Eye contact
• Listens to others without interruption
• Appropriate speaking volume
• Steady tone of voice
• Confident body language
Assertiveness Tips
Respect yourself.
Your needs, wants, and rights are as important as anyone else’s. It’s fine to express what you want, so long as you are respectful toward the rights of others.
Express your thoughts and feelings calmly
Giving the silent treatment, yelling, threatening, and shaming are all great examples of what not to do. Take responsibility for your emotions, and express them in a calm and factual manner. Try starting sentences with “I feel…”.
Plan what you’re going to say
Know your wants and needs, and how you can express them, before entering a conversation. Come up with specific sentences and words you can use.
Say “no” when you need to
You can’t make everyone happy all the time. When you need to say “no”, do so clearly, without lying about the reasons. Offer to help find another solution
Here is the Decider Skills Video called Talk the Talk:
Here is a worksheet you can use to help communicate:
