What do you do if your assertiveness is hindering effective decision-making in the robotics field?

2 Listen actively

Another key skill to avoid over-assertiveness is to listen actively to others. Active listening means not only hearing what others are saying, but also showing interest, empathy, and understanding. Active listening can help you build rapport, trust, and respect with your colleagues, partners, and clients in the robotics field. It can also help you learn from different perspectives, insights, and experiences that can enhance your decision-making process. To listen actively, you need to avoid interrupting, judging, or dismissing others, and instead ask open-ended questions, paraphrase, and summarize what you hear.

3 Be assertive, not aggressive

There is a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive in the robotics field. Assertiveness means expressing your views and needs confidently and respectfully, while acknowledging and considering those of others. Aggressiveness means imposing your views and needs on others, while ignoring or undermining those of others. Aggressiveness can damage your relationships, reputation, and results in the robotics field. To be assertive, not aggressive, you need to use respectful language, body language, and tone of voice, and avoid personal attacks, threats, or insults.

4 Seek feedback

One of the best ways to improve your assertiveness and decision-making skills in the robotics field is to seek feedback from others. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and learn from your mistakes and successes. Feedback can also help you adjust your assertiveness level according to the expectations and preferences of your audience. To seek feedback, you need to be open-minded, curious, and willing to learn. You also need to thank those who give you feedback, and act on it accordingly.

5 Collaborate effectively

Finally, to avoid over-assertiveness and enhance your decision-making skills in the robotics field, you need to collaborate effectively with others. Collaboration means working together towards a common goal, while sharing ideas, resources, and responsibilities. Collaboration can help you leverage the diverse skills, knowledge, and creativity of your team members, partners, and clients in the robotics field. It can also help you solve complex problems, innovate, and deliver better outcomes. To collaborate effectively, you need to communicate clearly, respect differences, and compromise when needed.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?