Dolphin model for Assertive Behaviour

Degree of Dominance,
Challenge & Results focus

Aggressive Leadership Assertive Leadership

Degree of Warmth, Support,
Relationship focus

Avoiding Leadership Appeasing Leadership

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Dolphin model for Assertive Behaviour
Degree of Dominance,
Challenge & Results focus

Assertive Leadership
Behaviour

Degree of Warmth, Support,

Relationship focus

www.michaelcook.training
To create assertive behaviour, monitor and ‘plot’ their
behaviour

• Where on the horizontal axis does it feel? Towards cold, or more

warm?

• Where on the vertical axis would it sit? High up on the dominant or are
they more hiding and saying little?

• Open, transparent communication is what creates strong relationships,

the right behaviours and effective leadership. Assertive leadership.
Being clear about what’s needed and what you will do to support.
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Remember, match their dominance, mirror their
warmth
• Balance the right degree of challenge, with support
• Mix the correct amount of dominance with warmth
• Maintain the necessary balance on relationship and the result

For example:
I need this report by Friday at 4. What can I do to help you?
We really need to do better. But I every confidence you can do this.
I’m really happy to help you because of all you’ve done to help the
department, but we can’t miss this deadline.

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Practice being a dolphin!

And see your relationships flourish as a result

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