Five Ways to Be a More Assertive Woman!
- Avoid using the words just, try or sorry. All of these can lessen your credibility.
- Use confident body language and non-verbals. This means standing up straight, making eye contact and speaking loudly enough to be heard.
- Get rid of disclaimers of any sort. They sound like “I’m not sure this is the right time to mention this” before a sentence or “What do you think?” at the end of a sentence. Say what you plan to say and nothing else.
- Say what needs saying but don’t explain afterward. Meaning if someone asks if you can do something you can use the Can, Can’t and Why technique: I can help you later (or see if John can help you), I help you now because (the why) I’m finishing the XYZ project. BUT then don’t take five minutes to explain you would stay late except you have company coming over and you really wish you could help. Explain and quit talking!
- Interrupt if necessary to be heard. Men often see women as not as passionate or dedicated as they are because women tend to wait their turn, often a turn that never comes. Make a commitment to interrupting if necessary.
