Interpersonal assertion plays an essential part in bullying prevention. Assertion involves insisting on one’s own rights without taking away the rights of others. This skill helps people clearly explain their wants, needs, and feelings to other people. It also provides a way for people to get what they want without violating, or offending, others. It prevents them from having to walk away empty-handed.
Can you think of some people who use an assertive communication style? These are people who say the right thing at the right time. They navigate stressful situations with ease. Most importantly, they do not allow others to take advantage of them. While these people might make assertion look easy, it isn’t. The truth is that we all have to work to become more assertive.
Assertion becomes especially important in the midst of stressful situations. This is because pressure or stress usually brings out the worst in people. In some cases, stress can cause people to bully others. But when people have high levels of assertion, they can handle stress better. This makes bullying less likely to occur.
Interpersonal assertion is a learned skill. If you don’t consider yourself to be an assertive person, it’s not too late to change. In this series, we will cover the following topics to teach you strong interpersonal assertion skills:
-
Communication Styles
-
Overcoming Obstacles to Change
-
Personal Inventory
-
Becoming Assertive
-
Steps to Success
This is the beginning of a six-part series on Interpersonal Assertion and Bullying Prevention. Stay tuned for future posts in this series.
If you would like to see how our Bullying Prevention Program can work with your population, please click the free trial link below.
