Break the Niceness Cycle: Assertive Communication Strategies for Women
Summary
It happens too often.
Women in the workplace want to express themselves authentically, but they hold back because they’re afraid of backlash.
They avoid being assertive for fear of being labeled “aggressive”.
They stay silent in meetings when they have valuable contributions to make.
They put everyone else’s needs above their own because they don’t want to appear uncooperative or unlikeable.
They don’t ask questions because they’re worried about what others will think.
And ultimately, these people-pleasing tendencies, as well-intentioned as they might be, end up holding them back.
This 60-minute event will help professional women honor their opinions, ideas, and contributions. We’ll walk through common dilemmas that women run into in the workplace and offer practical advice for handling them.
Join us and walk away ready to stand your ground, display your talents and contributions, and claim your space in the workplace.
We’ll discuss:
- The difference between being assertive and aggressive
- Maintaining composure in the face of pushback
- Diplomatic ways to say “no”
- Strategies for respectfully disagreeing with colleagues
- Alternatives to words and phrases that sound indecisive
- Knowing your worth and advocating for yourself
- Hands-on tools & an event activity worksheet
- A post-event knowledge test
- The on-demand recording
- Workshop Recap Cheat Sheet
Program Highlights
Communicate with poise
- How to use active listening skills to build rapport and trust
- Words and phrases to use and those to avoid
- Options for disagreeing graciously and confidently
- Ways to say “No” decisively and diplomatically
Handle difficult situations with confidence
- Options for responding when someone steals your idea
- Responses to a person who rambles on and on or repeatedly interrupts
- Set boundaries when a colleague tries to take advantage of you
- Disagree without sounding defensive or starting an argument
Empower yourself while showing respect for your colleagues
- Gain the confidence to speak up and contribute your ideas and opinions
- Feel freer to express disagreement
- Say “no” to a request or invitation while still being respectful
Question and Answer Session - Your specific questions & unique challenges will be addressed!
About the Speaker
Ashley Cox, PHR, SHRM-CP is the Founder and CEO of SproutHR, a boutique HR consulting firm that advises women in how to hire and lead profitable, sustainable, and impactful teams with confidence, ease, and fun.
At SproutHR, Ashley and her team focus on values-based hiring, compassionate and intentional leadership, and amplifying impact. They revolutionize the do-it-yourself mindset to one of exponential growth – hiring the right people the right way scales business and electrifies the bottom line – making companies thrive.
A certified HR professional with over 17 years’ experience, Ashley has worked with businesses nationwide – from local brick and mortars to online agencies to multi-million dollar national & international companies.
She was a top recruiter and leadership expert for J.Crew and Kroger where she hired and developed everyone from the newest hourly employees to C-suite level executives.
She is also an SME (subject matter expert) for the world’s leading HR organization, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), an expert trainer for various 1000+ employee organizations, host of The Impact Ripple podcast & the author of her debut book Transform Your Stories.
Transform Your Stories guides women to overcome the stories that hold them back so they can become confident and courageous leaders who create resounding impact in the world.
SproutHR & Transform Your Stories have been featured on ABC News, Brit + Co, SHRM, and The Rising Tide Society.
Program Benefits:
Too many women fall into the niceness trap, and eventually, they end up stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage. If you can relate, this training is for you. We’ll help you right the course by giving you actionable tips to advocate for yourself at work – which will help propel your career forward.
If you'd like this program customized for your organization, call us at 1-800-964-6033.
We're certain we can fulfill your training needs, while making it fit in your budget!