Here's how you can balance assertiveness with openness in your entrepreneurial journey.

Balancing Act: Assertiveness and Openness Juggling assertiveness and openness is like herding cats in a disco! Here's your dance card: Know Your Worth: Be confident in your abilities. Don't be afraid to speak your mind! Active Listening: Hear others out. Show respect and understanding. Empathy Engine: Put yourself in their shoes. See things from their perspective. Finding Common Ground: Look for areas of agreement. Build bridges, not walls. Flexibility is Key: Be open to compromise. A win-win is better than a lose-lose. Remember, a balanced approach is the key to success!

Balancing assertiveness and openness as an entrepreneur: Be clear about your vision, but open to feedback Make tough decisions, while listening to others Stand firm on core values, be flexible on methods Share thoughts confidently, but ask questions too Set boundaries, yet remain approachable Focus on finding the best solution, not being right Lead decisively, but value team input Protect your time, while being available when needed Communicate your ideas strongly, but consider alternatives Trust your instincts, but verify with data Be firm in negotiations, but aim for win-win outcomes Show confidence in your product, but be open to improvements

Balance assertiveness with openness by leading discussions but actively listening to others' ideas. For example, assert your vision clearly, but remain open to feedback from your team, blending strong leadership with a collaborative approach to achieve your goals.

Clearly defining your goals is crucial for effectively balancing assertiveness with openness. Having a well-defined objective allows you to assertively pursue your desired outcomes and make decisions that align with your vision. However, it’s important to remain open to various approaches and opportunities that may come your way. Flexibility in how you achieve your goals can lead to innovative solutions and unexpected advantages. By staying focused on your end goals while being adaptable in your methods, you can navigate challenges and seize opportunities with both determination and flexibility.

Be clear about your goals and limits. Assertively communicate what you need while remaining open to others' perspectives and adjustments.

Active listening is essential for striking the right balance between assertiveness and openness. By genuinely engaging with the perspectives and ideas of others, whether they are employees, customers, or partners, you show that you value their input. This fosters a collaborative and respectful environment. While you may not agree with everything you hear, demonstrating that you are willing to listen and consider other viewpoints can lead to more productive discussions and mutual respect. In turn, when you assert your own ideas, others are more likely to respond with the same level of respect and consideration.

Active listening is one of those underestimated skills, particularly in leadership. For women, it can sometimes feel like a balancing act between being heard and listening. But here’s the trick: listening doesn't diminish our voice; it amplifies it. When we truly hear others, we position ourselves to assert our ideas more effectively. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t appreciate a leader who knows when to listen and when to lead?

Active listening goes beyond simply hearing words; This involves fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their perspective, and responding thoughtfully. This practice does not require agreement with every idea presented, but it does require giving others space to express themselves freely.

While it’s important to be assertive, I believe being open and receptive is equally crucial. I make it a point to listen actively in every conversation. This means really hearing what others have to say and considering their perspectives.

Effective communication is key to balancing assertiveness with openness. Clearly articulate your thoughts, goals, and expectations to convey confidence and direction. Avoid ambiguity to ensure that your message is understood. At the same time, foster a dialogue by inviting questions and encouraging others to share their perspectives. This approach demonstrates that while you have a clear vision, you also value and respect the input from others. By maintaining this balance, you build trust and facilitate a more collaborative and inclusive environment.

One part of communicating clearly while balancing assertiveness is by Saying NO. It is not easy to say NO many times but its important to know your limits. You need to communicate when there's request to go beyond them. If you are having trouble gathering the courage to say no, think of what you'll be sacrificing if you say YES :)

Clear communication is where assertiveness meets finesse, especially for women in business. We often walk the fine line between being direct and being perceived as overly aggressive. I’ve found that the sweet spot is in being clear and concise while inviting others into the conversation. It’s about asserting our ideas without shutting down the dialogue—because the best decisions are often the result of diverse perspectives coming together.

Clear communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership and collaboration. It's about confidently expressing your ideas and expectations while fostering an environment where others feel encouraged to contribute their perspectives.

One needs to be open to feedback or opinions. See feedback as a gift that gives you the insight you might not otherwise have. When you do that yourself, you also encourage the same culture within the org.

Embracing feedback is crucial for maintaining openness while being assertive in your entrepreneurial journey. Actively encourage your team and stakeholders to provide honest feedback on your ideas and strategies. When you receive criticism, approach it with an open mind and evaluate its validity. Use constructive feedback to refine your approach and enhance your strategies. By showing that you can accept and integrate feedback into your vision, you reinforce your leadership qualities and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and growth.

Embracing feedback is a powerful practice, but let’s face it, sometimes it can feel like feedback is just code for criticism. The trick is to take it in your stride—evaluate the feedback, use what’s useful, and discard the rest. It’s not about pleasing everyone; it’s about continuous improvement. And when we model this, we show our teams that being open doesn’t mean being a pushover—it means we’re always evolving, which is the true mark of leadership.

Leading by example is where the rubber meets the road, particularly for female founders. We’re often in the spotlight, not just for our decisions but for how we make them. It’s not just about making the tough calls—it’s about showing that we can be both decisive and receptive to new ideas. By embodying this balance, we set a standard that empowers everyone around us to bring their best to the table. And let’s be real, we all love a leader who can confidently say, 'I don’t have all the answers, but together, we’ll find them'?

To balance assertiveness with openness, it's essential to lead by example. Demonstrate decisiveness and authority when making important decisions, showing your team that you can take charge effectively. At the same time, be open to new ideas and willing to adapt your approach when it serves the best interests of the business. Your behavior will shape your company’s culture, and a leader who exemplifies both assertiveness and openness will inspire their team to embrace these qualities as well. This balanced approach fosters a collaborative and dynamic work environment, where team members feel valued and motivated.

Flexibility is not about compromising your values- it’s about being willing to listen, learn, and change course when needed. Here’s how flexibility can help you strike that balance: 1. Listen more: Openness begins with listening. Flexibility allows you to consider different perspectives and integrate them into your strategy. 2. Stay grounded: Assertiveness is essential, but flexibility keeps you grounded, ensuring that your decisions are responsive to real-time challenges. 3. Encourage innovation: By being flexible, you create a space where creativity comes in, leading to innovative solutions that will set your business apart.

Flexibility is about adapting, not just bending. Being flexible doesn’t mean compromising on your core principles; it means staying agile and responsive to new information. Like Jeff Bezos famously said, "Be stubborn on vision, but flexible on details." Your willingness to pivot or adjust can be the difference between staying relevant and becoming obsolete. Remember, the most successful entrepreneurs are those who master the art of balance—adapt when necessary but never lose sight of your core values.

Adapt! While standing firm on your core values, be willing to adapt your approach based on new information and constructive criticism. Promote an environment where open discussions are welcome. Assert your views, but be open to dialogue and negotiation.