assertive communication
Direct, respectful speaking
Assertive communication is expressing thoughts, feelings, and needs directly and honestly while respecting others.
It occupies middle ground between passive communication (not speaking up) and aggressive communication (dominating or dismissing others).
The term appears frequently in workplace training and therapy contexts: We practiced assertive communication techniques in couples counseling.
- active listeningFocused, responsive attention to speech
- self-advocacyPromoting one's own interests
- nonverbal cuesUnspoken communication signals
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
self-esteem · open-ended questions · negotiation · finding common ground · paraphrasing · directness · saying no · mutual respect · empathy · confidence · mediation · social skills · de-escalation · self-regulation · problem-solving · empowerment · personal boundaries · standing your ground
assertive communicationpassivity
State of non-resistance
indirect communication · people-pleasing · conflict avoidance · silence · hinting
assertive communicationaggression
Hostile or attacking behavior
bullying · verbal aggression · intimidation · verbal abuse · coercion
assertive communicationyelling
Vocalization at maximum volume
screaming · ranting · stonewalling · shutting down · lashing out
assert, asserts, asserted, asserting, assertion, assertions, assertiveness, assertively, unassertive