Assertiveness In Effective Communication

Relationships are formed through communication. However, there are instances when communication becomes complex and multifaceted, which is believed to be part of its nature. At some point, there are several instances wherein a simple miscommunication and misunderstanding can heavily bring down a relationship or complicates everything. This does not solely account for communication and its nature alone, as there are also several factors that can hinder effective communication, such as the simple noise. Moreover, the point of the matter is that communication plays a vital part for people from different cultures, personalities or race to get to know each other. The complexity of communication and interpersonal relationships can possibly be attributed

It is commonly known that there are three styles of communication in relationship—passive, aggressive and assertive. Among these styles, this essay will mainly discuss assertive communication. Assertiveness

It was learned during the leaning event that assertiveness has been defined in different contexts and in different forms. These definitions are presented by Pipaş and Jaradat in their journal and summarized in the table below.

Author Definition of Assertiveness

Rimm and Masters (1979) Assertive behavior is an interpersonal behavior involving relatively honest and direct expression of thoughts and feelings that are socially appropriate and take into account the feelings and welfare of other people.

Lazarus (1973) It is the ability to say no, the ability to ask favors or make requests, ability to express positive and negative feelings, the ability to initiate, continue and finish a general conversation.

Lange and Jacubowski (1976) Assertiveness involves personal rights and expressing thoughts, feelings and beliefs directly, honestly and appropriately, without violating the rights of others.

Source: Pipaş and Jaradat (2010, p.

As stressed by Pipas and Jaradat (2010), one should first know the needs and how these needs are acquired. In the context of an organization, it is the objective of an assertive communicator to win in a manner that problems are solved and results are maximized. This kind of relationship has paved the way for assertive communication to serve as the middle way and would involve “request of own rights and denial of tasks in a simple, direct manner” (Pipas and Jaradat 2010, p.652).

As for Lloyd (1988), assertiveness means “the ability to express one’s feelings, opinions, beliefs and needs directly, openly and honestly, assert one’s rights whilst respecting the feelings and rights of another.” This definition has been at the core of the class discussion. Several things were actually learned in the aspect where being assertive is concerned. For one, I personally believed that being assertive is a challenge, as it would sound simpler to be either passive or aggressive. Realistically speaking, people tend to be either passive or aggressive in reacting to certain things, which may have caused misunderstanding and miscommunication. Leading to be assertive is absolutely the right way to communicate in my