Assertiveness, Influencing and Conflict Management Skills for

Women Managers
07-08 June 2012
R 4 500.00


Assertive behaviour enables us to act in our best interests and exercise personal rights without
violating the rights of others. Assertive people say and think without apologising or dominating.
Assertive people are willing to find mutually satisfactory solutions to interpersonal problems
and conflict which means they are usually able to send the right signals and get the right
responses
Many people often have difficulty saying no or are too outspoken and aggressive. Either way
doesnt result in a job well-done or would probably result in damaged relationships. Having said
that, there are times when it may be appropriate to be passive or aggressive. So how do you
achieve the balance? Assertiveness, Influencing Skills and Conflict Management for Women
Managers is designed for women managers who want to find the balance, get things done and
get what they want while commanding respect from others.

Whats more, men and women generally communicate differently too. Thus it would pay to
observe, analyse and understand where the differences are and how to go about overcoming the
differences. If you seek to enhance your assertiveness, influencing and conflict resolution style,
Assertiveness, Influencing Skills and Conflict Management for Women Managers is the course
for you to get hands-on practice in a supportive environment with other women managers who
share similar concerns.

Eight Great Reasons To Attend The Course

1. Recognise and distinguish passive, aggressive and passive-aggressive behaviour
2. Cultivate assertive behaviour to get what you want and get ahead
3. Explore and understand how men and women generally communicate differently verbally
and non-verbally
4. Analyse and understand your own behaviour and attitude and how it relates to your
effectiveness
5. Identify barriers to your assertiveness and discard habits that impede assertive behaviour
6. Deliver feedback without getting shot
7. Be able to deliver impactful messages that results in win-win situations
8. Learn to manage and resolve conflicts successfully

Course Approach

Through sharing of ideas and interactive discussions of experiences and issues, we believe you
will gain maximum benefit from this course. Throughout the duration of the two days, you will
be actively engaging in practical exercises designed to increase your ability to apply the skills
you are learning.
Time has been allocated for general discussion and the opportunity to share your challenges
and pick up valuable tips from both your contemporaries and the instructor.

Course Objectives

Develop your skills in assertive communication
Build your confidence in dealing with challenging situations
Capitalise on your strengths in communicating with others

Course outline

The Myths and the Mysteries around Assertiveness
The extremes and the middle ground of the assertiveness continuum
Assertiveness and Aggressiveness what is the difference and why it is an issue
Exploring the passive mindset and how it ultimately works against you
The passive-aggressive personality what it is and why it occurs
Defining aggression why is it ok for some people and not ok for others

The Assertive Woman
The art of assertiveness what does it take to cultivate it?
Exploring the types of situations that test our ability to be assertive
Common errors that prevent women from being clear and making themselves understood
Becoming assertive - behaviour that can help your career growth

The Gender Gap
Men and Women why were different in our communication
What research tells us about socialisation and how it might have influenced your ability to be
assertive
Avoiding the pitfalls common mistakes that women make
How not to diminish your message through body language
Rationalising your thinking avoiding the temptation to act like a man

Building your Assertiveness Strategy
Appropriately applying the Assertiveness Bill of Rights
Saying no when you need to and feeling great about it
Identifying what has blocked you in the past and exploring new paradigms
Developing a personal profile to map your assertiveness
Unlearning and discarding ineffective old habits
Moving to new heights integrating diplomacy in your communication style

Delivering and Receiving Feedback
Four feedback techniques that you can use to help people to lift their game
Delivering tough messages without getting shot
Your response toolkit phrases that help you to control your defensiveness
Understanding the link between thought, language and behaviour
Adopting a mutual respect stance to build your confidence levels

Managing and Resolving Conflict
Exploring the relationship between co-operation and assertiveness
Reflecting on your habits around conflict
Analysing your current conflict resolution style
Identifying your anger buttons and putting aside your personal anger
Identifying personal blocks that can stall you in a conflict situation
Planning to confront and resolve an interpersonal conflict
De-toxing from major conflict how to free yourself and move on

Asserting Influence To Get you Ahead in Business and Your Career
Understanding communication styles and how they can be managed
Thinking ahead of, and sometimes for, the other party
Planning your message to achieve impact and maximise retention
Exploring triggers that can help you to be more persuasive
Tips and techniques that will help you to negotiate from a position of confidence
Removing self-imposed barriers that can hinder your success in a negotiation