Here's how you can conquer workplace challenges with assertiveness.

Inteligência emocional é fundamental para vencer qualquer desafio. Manter a calma enquanto a maioria se desespera permite tomar as melhores decisões sem perder a razão. Ao longo da minha carreira, aprendi uma lição valiosa de liderança: mesmo os profissionais mais qualificados podem falhar se não tiverem um alto QE. Por isso, é essencial cuidar do nosso QE da mesma forma que cuidamos da nossa saúde física. Só assim podemos nos tornar líderes completos e eficazes, capazes de entregar resultados e inspirar nossas equipes.

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Recognise and understand your emotions, strengths, and weaknesses to effectively manage reactions at the workplace. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Ability developed to control emotional responses—being calm and focused under pressure to respond with thought to challenges. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲: Practise empathy in understanding and considering the emotions and perspectives of others for better communication and relationships with colleagues.

Assertiveness is a key component of effective communication and by extension, Emotional Intelligence. It means that you are able to speak up when it is necessary. This important because in its absence, problems don't get solved, people don't get the feedback they need to get and difficult conversations will not happen. This can affect productivity and can threaten a company's growth.

To add, 1. Set specific limits: Instead of "don't bother me," say "I'm available to chat between 2-4 pm." 2. Be firm but polite: Say "I understand you need help, but I need to focus on my task right now." Assertiveness at Work: 1. Speak up: Share your ideas and opinions clearly. 2. Use "I" statements: Instead of "you always," say "I feel overwhelmed when..." 3. Be direct: Ask for what you need, like "Can I have an extension on this deadline?" 4. Stand up for yourself: If someone's being unfair, say "I don't think that's fair. Can we find a solution?" Remember, assertiveness is about being clear and direct while still respecting others. It's not about being aggressive or mean 😊

Estabelecer limites no ambiente de trabalho é essencial para manter um equilíbrio saudável entre vida pessoal e profissional, além de promover um ambiente de trabalho produtivo e respeitoso. Estabelecer limites no ambiente de trabalho não é apenas benéfico para você, mas também para sua produtividade e bem-estar geral.

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Clearly and concisely communicate your needs and expectations to colleagues and supervisors, ensuring they understand your perspective. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Use assertive, not aggressive, language to express your needs, balancing firmness with respect for others' viewpoints. 𝐁𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜: Provide specific details about what you need, why it’s important, and how it can benefit the team or project, making it easier for others to support you.

When Gen Z interacts with Gen X colleagues, using the concept of Radical Candor to express needs can foster better communication and understanding. Here are some examples: 1. Feedback on Workload: - Gen Z to Gen X: "Susan, I appreciate the challenging projects, but I'm feeling overwhelmed. Can we discuss workload distribution?" 2. Career Development Requests: - Gen Z to Gen X: "Michael, I'm eager to learn more about project management. Could you mentor me?" 3. Flexible Work Arrangements: - Gen Z to Gen X: "David, I value work-life balance. Can we explore remote work options?"

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲: Tackle conflicts as soon as they arise to prevent escalation, fostering a proactive approach to problem-solving. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Listen actively to understand the other person’s perspective, showing empathy and willingness to find a mutually beneficial solution. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Work together to find solutions that satisfy both parties, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to maintaining positive workplace relationships.

A good way to approach conflict is to avoid running with your assumptions. Ask questions to assess whether you and the other party are on the same page (severity of the issue, impact it caused, feelings about it, etc.). Often, people don't realize their actions had a certain impact, and by asking honest, genuine questions, you can dive into conflict resolution much faster, blame-free, and with a productive outcome. Using non-violent communication is professional and outcome-focused while also being direct and clear. For example, you can state the issue (the facts), name the impact, and then share the expectations or "feed-forward."

A couple of areas not included in the article are: 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦: Always approach conflicts and assertive communications with professionalism, keeping discussions focused on issues, not personalities. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Strengthen your self-confidence through preparation, practice, and positive self-talk, which will enhance your ability to be assertive and handle workplace challenges effectively.