Why assertiveness matters to business
Posted on March 15, 2013 by Laura Bacci CPCC, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
In tough times, organisations are looking for well-balanced assertive leaders. Do you measure up?
Assertiveness by itself will not get you a promotion, nor the respect of your peers and direct reports. But failing to stand your ground effectively, and conversely – being too controlling and aggressive, can halt your advance up the corporate ladder. So why are organisations seeking out assertive leaders and where do you fit on the assertiveness barometer?
Assertiveness is a way of describing how people defend their interests. Assertive leaders can create a compelling vision, communicate strategy and clearly define objectives and service quality standards. They inspire their people, gather support, and create alignment within a team so that everyone moves in the same direction. They avoid the confusion and disorientation caused when team members are trying to second-guess what they’re supposed to be doing and why.
Assertive leaders exude confidence. They are prepared to stand their ground when they walk down the corridor to deal with HR or Finance! They create a safe space for team members to voice concerns and discontent, avoiding the trap of toxic communications cycles. They can even encourage your most soft-spoken people to share their thoughts and ideas with the wider team; ideas that might turn out to be star dust further down the line.
Until now, organisations have viewed assertiveness as a trait that relates exclusively to the personality of the individual. Either you are assertive or not. But it is now time for companies to start looking at assertiveness as an institutional issue. That’s because the structure and function of every organisation has a direct impact on whether the next generation of leaders are capable of rallying their people in the right direction.
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