assertiveness
Speaking up firmly
Assertiveness is the quality of stating one's needs, opinions, or boundaries confidently and directly without being aggressive or passive.
It sits between doormat and bully: Her assertiveness in meetings earned her respect.
The word often appears in self-help contexts about standing up for oneself: assertiveness training, workplace assertiveness.
Power to enforce obedience
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- initiativeSelf-directed action capacity
- decisivenessAbility to choose firmly
- influencePower to affect others
proactivity · self-advocacy · negotiation · delegation · persuasiveness · presence · agency · self-direction
Confidence in one's abilities
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- self-esteemOne's sense of worth
- self-beliefTrust in one's capabilities
- self-respectValuing one's own worth
empowerment · assurance · composure · self-possession · aplomb · self-confidence · presence · bearing
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- explicitClearly and directly expressed
- directUndeviating or to guide
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- unambiguousAllowing single interpretation only
clear · outspoken · vocal · expressive · plain-spoken · unequivocal · matter-of-fact · straightforward
Firmness of purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
resoluteness · doggedness · willpower · grit · drive · single-mindedness · commitment · dedication
Vertebral column, or courage
- strong-willedUnyielding in purpose
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
resolute · steadfast · unwavering · staunch · immovable · iron-willed · tough-minded · hard-nosed
Fortitude facing danger
- audacityBrazen, reckless daring
- daringAdventurous courage
- braveryBoldness before danger
- gumptionSpirited practical courage
chutzpah · spunk · nerve · moxie · forthrightness · directness · outspokenness · frankness
authority
Power to enforce obedience
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- initiativeSelf-directed action capacity
- decisivenessAbility to choose firmly
influence · proactivity · self-advocacy · negotiation · delegation · persuasiveness · presence · agency · self-direction · ownership
self-assurance
Confidence in one's abilities
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- self-esteemOne's sense of worth
- self-beliefTrust in one's capabilities
self-respect · empowerment · assurance · composure · self-possession · aplomb · self-confidence · presence · bearing · dignity
articulate
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- explicitClearly and directly expressed
- directUndeviating or to guide
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
unambiguous · clear · outspoken · vocal · expressive · plain-spoken · unequivocal · matter-of-fact · straightforward · speaking up
resolve
Firmness of purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
steadfastness · resoluteness · doggedness · willpower · grit · drive · single-mindedness · commitment · dedication · staying power
backbone
Vertebral column, or courage
- strong-willedUnyielding in purpose
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
uncompromising · resolute · steadfast · unwavering · staunch · immovable · iron-willed · tough-minded · hard-nosed · no-nonsense
courage
Fortitude facing danger
gumption · chutzpah · spunk · nerve · moxie · forthrightness · directness · outspokenness · frankness · candor
- leadershipleadership styles, leader, leadership skills, boss, leading
- life skillsreading, writing, cooking, cleaning, laundry
- communication skillspersuasion, active listening, empathy, body language, storytelling
- EQ skillsemotional intelligence, EQ, self-regulation, emotional awareness, emotion recognition
- assertiveness skillsboundaries, boundary setting, saying no, standing ground
- developmentgrowth, progress, advancement, expansion, improvement
assertivenesstimidity
Fearful lack of courage
meekness · passivity · diffidence · timidness · shyness
assertivenesspassivity
State of non-resistance
weakness · meekness · spinelessness · timidity · feebleness
- assertiveness trainingTeaching confident communication
assert, assertive, assertion, unassertive, asserts, asserted, reassert, assertively, reassertion