Everyone has value. We should all feel that our contributions, ideas and suggestions have been heard. But, in order for this to happen, we need to speak up – to be confident and communicate clearly. We need to be assertive.

‘No.’ That can feel like a hard word to say. We’re sometimes afraid of being seen as unwilling or reluctant, aren’t we? In the moment, it can be hard to find the right way to form the right words. What if people take it the wrong way? What if there is a confrontation? So it can sometimes feel easier to say ‘yes’ instead.

If, like me, you are a ‘people-pleaser‘, being assertive can feel like a real challenge. But it is worth the time and effort to try to learn because, although admirable, trying to please others and always saying ‘yes’ can be a detriment to your wellbeing. For example, you may find yourself so consumed with trying to help others that your workload becomes unmanageable. So, saying ‘no’ is sometimes necessary.

Assertiveness is often confused with aggressive behaviour. But you can be assertive without being argumentative or obstructive. Being assertive is also not just saying ‘no’ all the time. It’s about recognising your boundaries and communicating those in an appropriate and reasonable way.

It’s also not about being ‘bossy’ or overpowering others with your presence. Assertiveness helps you communicate effectively and speak up, while still being professional and respectful of others.

It is an essential skill to learn for your own self-worth, but it might feel impossible to learn and apply. But like anything, you need to practice it in order to master. The good news is we have just launched a new, short (15-minute) e-learning module to help you learn this vital skill.

To enrol on the new ‘Assert Yourself’ module:

1. Visit the Online Learning web page.
2. Select the ‘Access the e-learning portal’ link.
3. Select the ‘Dashboard’ button in the top-left and then select ‘Catalogue’.
4. Browse the catalogue and enrol on the ‘Assert Yourself’ module.

If you need any help enrolling onto the module, please do contact people.development@canterbury.ac.uk.

Zoe Connell, Organisational and People Development