Assertiveness Training for Women in Business

In todays ever changing business environment it is vital for women to have an assertive voice in business. Assertiveness techniques, when used effectively, can enhance almost every aspect of your job and life — Knowing which tools and techniques to use, and how and when to use them, is critical. AMA’s assertiveness training for women is a 3-day seminar that addresses the unique challenges women face in business and provides them with the assertiveness techniques essential for survival and advancement in their industry. With these skills, women can feel secure that they are sending the right signals that elicit the right responses. They will help you command respect while being respectful and handle almost any situation you’re likely to encounter without seeming overbearing.

AMA's assertiveness training for women gives you the opportunity to practice fundamental assertiveness skills and to share your concerns with other women in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. You’ll assess your leadership style and then apply the new skills and tools you learn directly to one of your own challenges, receive feedback, and refine your skills through videotaped practice. Return to work with a complete and flexible plan for achieving the kind of assertiveness your position demands.

• Recognize the characteristics of the four assertiveness styles 
• Assess your individual assertiveness style and its effectiveness 
• Demonstrate assertiveness techniques using supportive communication behaviors 
• Develop an action plan to overcome at least two personal obstacles to assertiveness 
• Learn how to capitalize on the strengths of your leadership style—and minimize weaknesses 
• Flex your leadership style preference to interact most effectively and assertively with others 
• Incorporate assertiveness techniques into everyday practices 
   

Foundations of Assertiveness

• Distinguishing between passive, assertive, and aggressive behaviors
• Discussing how socialization affects your behavior in the business environment
• Identifying personal work situations and obstacles that challenge assertive behavior

Assessing Your Assertiveness

• Identifying your assertiveness style preferences
• Assessing and identifying strengths and weaknesses of your assertiveness style
• Knowing how value systems impact your assertiveness
• Identifying ways to reduce role conflict

Getting Comfortable in Your Own Skin

• Exploring the assertive components of becoming comfortable in your own S.K.I.N. (Support self-esteem; Know self; Initiate dialogue; Negate negative self-talk)

Assertive Communications Skills for Women

• Understanding the three components of communication and factors that influence their impact
• Differentiating the verbal and nonverbal communication styles of men and women
• Applying active and reflective listening skills to build assertiveness techniques
• Listening and responding assertively to feedback and criticism

Assertiveness Techniques and Practices

• Demonstrating a five-step model to express assertive language
• Exploring four special assertive techniques: broken record, fogging, negative assertion, and negative inquiry
• Saying “no” and surviving
• Responding to common put-down statements
• Videotaping practice sessions

Assertive Case Study Workshop

• Reviewing the uses of strategic tools, models and techniques
• Applying assertiveness techniques to analyze and plan around your own must-solve situations
• Receiving feedback on your plan for addressing your must-solve situations

Assertiveness and Leading

• Assessing leadership styles
• Understanding five dimensions of centered leadership
• Identifying new ways to use assertive leadership in your personal and professional life

Leading a Balanced Life

• Techniques for dealing with anger
• Preventing and coping with stress
• Applying a four-step model to improve personal level of work and life balance
• Discussing the nature and value of women support networks and resources
• Planning for continuing assertiveness growth

Learning Objectives

• Define Assertiveness and Identify the Characteristics of the Four Assertiveness Styles
• Assess Your Individual Assertiveness Style and Its Effectiveness
• Demonstrate Assertiveness Techniques Using Supportive Communication Behaviors
• Develop an Action Plan to Overcome at Least Two Personal Obstacles to Assertiveness and to Incorporate Techniques into Everyday Practices

Foundations of Assertiveness

• Define Assertiveness
• Distinguish Between Passive, Assertive, and Aggressive Behaviors
• Discuss How Socialization Affects Your Behavior in the Business Environment
• Identify Personal Work Situations and Obstacles That Challenge Assertive Behavior

Assess Your Assertiveness

• Identify Your Assertiveness Style Preferences
• Assess and Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Assertiveness Style
• Discuss How Value Systems Impact Your Assertiveness
• Identify Ways to Reduce Role Conflict

Get Comfortable in Your Own S. K.I.N.

• Describe the Assertive Components of Becoming “Comfortable in Your Own S.K.I.N.”

Assertive Communication Skills

• Identify the Three Components of Communication and Factors That Influence Their Impact
• Differentiate the Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Styles of Men and Women
• Apply Active and Reflective Listening Skills to Build Assertive Skills
• Listen and Respond Assertively to Feedback and Criticism

Assertive Techniques and Practices

• Demonstrate a Five-Step Model to Express Assertive Language
• Describe Four Special Assertive Techniques: Broken Record, Fogging, Negative Assertion, and Negative Inquiry
• Say “No” and Survive
• Respond to Common Put-Down Statements

Assertiveness Case Study Workshop

• Review the Uses of Strategic Tools, Models, and Techniques
• Apply Assertiveness Techniques to Analyze and Plan Around Your Own “Must-Solve” Challenges
• Receive Feedback and Suggestions on Your Plan for How to Best Address Your “Must-Solve” Challenges
• Give Feedback and Suggestions to Others on Their Plans to Assertively Address Their “Must-Solve” Challenges

Assertiveness and Leading

• Assess Leadership Styles
• Discuss Five Dimensions of Centered Leadership
• Identify New Ways to Use Assertive Leadership in Your Personal and Professional Life

Leading a Balanced Life

• Name at Least Five Techniques to Deal with Anger
• Identify Techniques for Preventing and Coping with Stress
• Discuss the Nature and Value of Women Support Networks and Resources
• Plan for Continuing Assertiveness Growth

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Define Assertiveness and Identify the Characteristics of the Four Assertiveness Styles
• Assess Individual Assertiveness Style and Its Effectiveness
• Demonstrate Assertive Techniques Using Supportive Communication Behaviors
• Develop an Action Plan to Overcome at Least Two Personal Obstacles to Assertiveness and to Incorporate Techniques into Everyday Practices

LESSON ONE

Assertiveness Overview

• Define Assertiveness
• Distinguish Among Passive, Assertive, and Aggressive Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors
• Identify Personal Work Situations and Obstacles That Challenge Assertive Behavior
• Discuss How Socialization Affects Your Behavior in the Business Environment

Assessing Yourself

• Assess and Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Assertiveness Style
• Learn to See the Relationship Between Your Values and Your Behavior
• Analyze How to Handle Compliments More Comfortably
• Describe the Assertive Components of Becoming “Comfortable in Your Own Skin”

LESSON TWO

Assessing Yourself (cont’d)

• Assess and Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Assertiveness Style
• Learn to See the Relationship Between Your Values and Your Behavior
• Analyze How to Handle Compliments More Comfortably
• Describe the Assertive Components of Becoming “Comfortable in Your Own Skin”

Assertive Techniques and Practices

• Demonstrate a Five-Step Model to Express Assertive Language
• Describe Six Special Assertive Techniques: Broken Record, Fogging, Negative Assertion, Negative Inquiry, Free Information and Self-Disclosure
• Say “No” and Survive
• Respond to Common Put-Down Statements

LESSON THREE

Assertive Techniques and Practices (cont’d)

• Demonstrate a Five-Step Model to Express Assertive Language
• Describe Six Special Assertive Techniques: Broken Record, Fogging, Negative Assertion, Negative Inquiry, Free Information and Self-Disclosure
• Say “No” and Survive
• Respond to Common Put-Down Statements

Key Communication Skills Necessary for Assertiveness

• Identify the Three Components of Communication and Factors That Influence Their Impact
• Differentiate the Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Styles of Men and Women
• Listen Assertively  Handle Feedback and Criticism Effectively

LESSON FOUR

Key Communication Skills Necessary for Assertiveness (cont’d)

• Identify the Three Components of Communication and Factors That Influence Their Impact
• Differentiate the Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Styles of Men and Women
• Listen Assertively
• Handle Feedback and Criticism Effectively

Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve the Desired Personal and Professional Balance

• Pinpoint Personal Internal Obstacles to Assertiveness, and Develop Strategies to Overcome Them
• Name at Least Five Techniques to Deal with Anger
• Identify Techniques for Preventing and Coping with Stress
• Apply a Four-Step Model to Improve Your Personal Level of Work and Life Balance
• Discuss the Nature and Value of Women’s Support Networks and Resources

Action Plan

• Develop and Assertive Approach to Two Current Challenging Situations
• Establish an Action Plan for Achieving Your Goals 

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