The ability to express oneself and reject others allows one to create a healthy relationship. However, in an attempt to define personal boundaries, some individuals turn to aggression, which discourages and undermines trust. The opposite model of aggressive behavior is assertive, enabling acting on beliefs and desires and building effective communication. However, to apply assertive techniques accurately, it is crucial to understand their meaning and role in protecting rights.
Everyone often has to operate in a team, which can cause some hardships. While working on a joint project, I once encountered aggression when I expressed a misunderstanding of a specific task. My partner did not attempt to understand me or clarify his point of view and was convinced that everything was apparent without words, which directed to the task not being completed. Every person has the right to express a lack of experience with a process or action, and this freedom was violated. The belief that all people must be considerate and sensitive to the needs of others and to read their minds is irrational (Jandt 221). If the partner could defend the position and explain all the required steps in a calm and accessible manner, the task would be finished successfully.
While communicating with an aggressive individual, one should try to be rational, consistent, and calm. It is improper to reciprocate the aggressor by involving oneself in the conflict (Art 1). A quiet tone of voice and appearance will extinguish the aggressive behavior of the opponent. Correspondingly, when it is impossible to defend the point of view, it is vital to find one phrase that should be repeated more persistently. Therefore, the opponents will realize that they will not be able to incline to his considerations, and it will be more comfortable to continue communicating.
Lack of assertiveness most frequently guides to a low level of self-esteem. When people behave passively, they do not reveal actual feelings or thoughts. If a person never freely expresses feelings or thoughts, keeping everything to themselves, it causes a state of tension, stress, or resentment and the absence of development. It is essential to realize that assertive behavior is not permanently necessary (Jandt 311). For example, when one of the speakers starts to behave aggressively or even dangerously at a multi-country conference, one should not intervene immediately. Assertive behavior, in this case, has little sense because the speaker cannot control the emotions, or it is conducting common to his traditions. It is wise to select a passive conduct style because assertiveness is, first and foremost, the art of making choices.
Conscience, knowledge, and education are the inalienable property of man. Educated people always represent the highest goal of society’s spiritual development. They form a new view of man’s role in the world: instead of maintaining power, there is an awareness of responsibility. Knowledge does not solely lead to greater professional competence and scientific and technical understanding (Jandt 231). It contributes to shaping a moral and ethical responsibility before society. A well-educated person has a sense of moral responsibility – conscience. It forms the comprehension of the importance of social commitment and the desire to bear responsibility for the creation of justice.
The manner of communication with others varies, but assertive behavior is usually the most sympathetic to others. It is vital to learn because only an assertive individual has a mature and responsible attitude to life, independence, and respect for the rights of others. Assertiveness implies that a person has three qualities – openness, honesty, and straightforwardness (Jandt 330). It indicates that the person always thinks and acts rationally without embellishing facts or trying to choose words that are more palatable to the interlocutor.
An educated person differs from another in navigating the world, critiquing, and reflecting. I consider it paramount to become someone who can impact the environment and contribute something unique. The first tasks for me as an educated person are not to be narrow-minded, to develop versatile knowledge, and assess others’ opinions while having my own. Therefore, self-actualization is vital, and its essence is in satisfying the needs and desires to fulfill the potential. Active personal growth is the most immediate to me as it consists of the realization of plans, intentions, and goals through which new skills and abilities are developed.
Life without resistance under one’s management is invariably based on knowledge. Control of emotions, fears, states, one’s accumulated skills, and calculated life scenarios are above all. One has to live, circumvent obstacles and figure out what life lessons need to be learned, not merely persist in a complex world. Although survival is not distinctive of my lifestyle, I encounter it challenging to handle risks, and it often prevents me from accomplishing tasks. Despite this, I realize that it is more reasonable not to hesitate in indecision, have a realistic goal and strive for it.
Human rights are those basic standards necessary for people to live safely and with dignity. They protect lives and bodies from harm by ensuring that everyone can live freely and engage in activities, express themselves and learn new information (Charles 6). Rights are fundamental and necessary to protect and preserve everyone’s humanity and to ensure a life of elegance. To guarantee that freedoms are not violated, it is essential to be able to reject and respect boundaries (Jandt 341). I cannot be silent about violations, either to myself or others.
Everyone is diverse, and each person has unique traits and conduct. Nevertheless, people have something in common: the inherent ability to make mistakes. In this respect, all differ only in the course of dealing with these missteps. The critical thing is accepting a situation and treating it as an enlightening experience from which valuable lessons can be learned. I strive to be the person who deals with development, accepts mistakes, takes responsibility for failures, and moves on.
I always try to explain my feelings and emotions to others so that everyone comprehends the boundaries that must not be crossed. No one is immune to intrusions into personal space, and it is vital to curb these tendencies. It is vital to remember that people who respect themselves, their goals, values, and time are not afraid of saying no (Charles 6). A solid and self-confident person is not angry with himself or the other person for his forced refusal, does not swear at anyone and does not make hazards for himself or others.
There will never be a perfect time to start doing something, and it is essential to realize this. In ordinary consciousness, self-assertion is often associated with negative character traits, with behavior aimed at humiliating another person. However, self-affirmation is not limited to personal superiority over others. It is, above all, personal growth and meaningful change in which one feels essential and experiences life. It is crucial to act and strive, think of others, and respect everyone’s dignity.
Therefore, assertiveness is the skill of self-confidence and the ability to regulate one’s behavior and take responsibility for it independently of the judgment and influence of others. Assertive people can communicate their wishes and needs, protect their rights, and set personal boundaries. They respect the demands of others and can defend opinions, which is why this trait is essential for anyone who wants to develop and be educated.
Works Cited
Art, Marshall. Assertion. Training Materials, 2022, pp. 1-2.
Charles, Thomas. Self-Assertive Training Procedures for Women. Training Materials, 2022, pp. 1-10.
Jandt, Fred E. An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community. Sage Publications, 2017.