Assertive communication involves expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a way that respects others and does not compromise one's own rights and boundaries. It allows one to achieve their goals without creating conflict. Aggressive communication, on the other hand, involves expressing oneself without consideration for how it impacts others. It can be harsh, disrespectful, and hurtful. Examples provided contrast how one might assertively decline a request compared to aggressively denying it.
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Effective Communication Skills
1. Communication Skills
Assignment # 4
2021
TOPIC: ASSERTIVEAND AGGRESSIVECOMMUNICATION
MUHAMMAD FAHAD BASHIR
PMAS ARID AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY RAWALPNDI
2. Assignmentno 4:
Muhammad Fahad Bashir
20-Arid-790
BS SE(Morning)2A
Submitted to: Mam Sehrish
Q: Explain Assertivecommunication?
Explainthe difference betweenassertiveandaggressive communicationwith
one practical example. One fromprofessional life andanother from personal
life?
Solution:
Communication is one of the important skills in today’s life. If you areable to
express your opinion, thoughts and belief in a way that is understandableto
others then you will be able to achieve many milestones in your life.
There are many ways abouthow you communicate to others and one of those
types are Assertivecommunication and other is aggressivecommunication.
Assertive Communication:
Assertivecommunication is way to convey your thoughts, emotion and beliefs in
way that is not hurting other. Rather it is the way to positively express yourself
without being rude to others. Itmeans that you are standing for yourself, for your
rights, needs and personalboundaries but on the other hand you areconsidering
and respecting the rights of others. Onecan speak for his right honestly and
elegantly. It may involve beginning , continuing , concluding conversation ,
rejecting demands , expressing positiveand negative feelings. Itoccurs is variety
of situations and forms but it general it means achieving one’s goals without
creating unpleasant scenes. Partof being assertiveis caring for yourself and
valuing your needs justas much as the other person’s needs
3. Examples
From Practical Life:
Your brother-in-law asks to borrow $500 and you doubt he has a history of
defaulting on his financial obligations.
“My policy is tonever lendmoney to friends or family members”.
.
Professional Life
Your boss has mentioned a large, upcoming projectseveral times, saying they want
you to work on it since it’s for clients you’veassisted before. “This will be great to
add to your portfolio in preparation for moving up,” they confide. “You’reabsolutely
ready for that.” When they finally give you the project materials and a due date,
your heart sinks. You have a few essential pieces of work you can’t put off, and
there’s no way you can complete everything yourself. At the same time, you don’t
want to let your boss or clients down, and you really want that promotion.
You set up a meeting with your boss and explain the situation:
I want to prioritizethisproject, but I’mafraid if I take it on, all of my work will
suffer. I’d liketo show you what I can do with this, but I want to be able do my
best work.
Personal Life:
When your mothers wantto help him in household work. Sheasks you to help
him in arranging things but this weekend you planned to relax and read your
favoritecomic books becauseyou had a rough week at university. So, you can say
“I understandyouneedhelp, and I would like tohelp you. Today, I needto take
care of myself because I’m very run-down. I can better helpyoutomorrow.
Would that work for you?”.
4. Aggressive communication:
Aggressivecommunication is totally opposite of assertivecommunication. It
means that you are expressing yourself withoutthinking about others. You just
think about yourself and do not think about whatothers will think and speak.
Itcan be described as expressing your feelings and opinions strongly as they
occur.
In these types of communication your tone is high, words selection is harsh and
your poor in expressing yourself calmly. This type of communication not show the
inner feelings of powerlessness. Itindicates that communicator Is not usually
interested in actual communication. It is just forcing communicator’s conversation
to others. Ithurt other and often includes insulting statements.
An aggressivecommunicator attack, dominates and forceother. He does not
listen what others are saying rather he will talk abouthis own thoughts. He will be
expressing his own set of minds. This causes terrible conversation. Itoften results
in no results because it becomes one sided.
Examples:
Personal Life:
When one of your friends asks to borrow motor car. You need this weekend.
In aggressiveyou will straightly be said without respecting or thinking about other
like: “No!Do not be stupid. Get one of your own “
Practical Life:
When you are talking someone on phoneand suddenly a person came there to
ask about wherethis road will lead to? You shoutat him and speak
“You did not see that I am talking on phone. Get out here. I am talking
something very serious”.
Professional Life
You are working with some organization and one day you said to your co-worker
that you wantthis assignmentto be completed till Sunday but he said that I will
5. busy this weekend and not able to complete this. You became angry and said “I
do not care. I just needthis and I am not responsible for your excuses “.
Differences
AssertiveCommunication
Respect the right of others
Do not forceto win
conversation
Respect other’s self esteem
Makes others feel valued and
respected
Minimizes stressfulsituations
Improves relationships
Interested in actual
conversation
Includes softand supportive
sentences
Listen carefully other’s thoughts
Soft and respectful tone
Aggressive Communication
Denies the right of others
Want to win conversation at any
cost
Hurtother’s self esteem
Makes others feel disrespected
Leads to negative interactions
Increases stressfulsituations
Not interested in actual
conversations
Often includes insulting
sentences
Do not Respect other’s views
Aggressiveand loud tone