Unit 18. Assertive Communication Skills for Professionals

An introduction to the program. “Assertive Communication Skills for Professionals” is a career track presentation by Carol Price. Carol Price is unquestionably one of the most highly regarded communication trainers in the United States. You will see why she’s so popular the minute you tune into this program. In the program Carol shows how to strike the balance between being “too nice” and coming on “too strong”. And she does it with a warm, yet high-energy style that will keep you involved throughout the program.

Carol Price has extensive experience in both corporate and small-business settings. She has helped thousands of professionals become more valuable to their organizations and more visible in their positions. And now in “Assertive Communication Skills for Professionals” she is ready to help you do the same.

The guide’s authors’ note: We advise you to listen to the program at home practicing your listening comprehension and note-taking skills and come to class ready for the discussion. Use the vocabulary from the program in your speech. Let the questions serve you as a plan for the discussion. On completion of the program you are supposed to take a test on program vocabulary.

Track 1 (25:30) and track2 (26:35). What Is Assertiveness?

Understanding the 4 communication styles:

• Passive – self-protection through avoidance
• Aggressive – uses anger to get results
• Passive-aggressive – avoids direct confrontation
• Assertive – expresses thoughts directly, but in a way that respects the opinions and feelings of others

Vocabulary

receptionist

subordinates

to be overwhelmed

to be powerless

to be embarrassed

to be out of control

to get even

supportive

drivel

among peers

sweaty

shaky

a welcome team member

to sound defensive

to feel low

to be incompetent

to say smth in the heat of emotion

to be dogged

to violate the rights

to be entitled to do smth

to pout

to endow smth

unalienable rights

to demean

vocal cues

the defeated

to sound apologetic

a whining tone

threatening words

to sound inflammatory

2. Listen to track 1 and 2 to answer the following questions:

1. What does the man say introducing the program and its author?
2. What are the situations through which four types of communication style are examined?
3. Describe the behavior of people in them?
4. What are assertive techniques?
5. Give four definitions of assertiveness.
6. What rights does a person have?
7. Characterize vocal cues of four styles.
8. What does assertiveness give people?

Track 3 (25:55) and track 4 (26:21). Building Your Foundation.

• Roadblocks to assertiveness
• Picking and planning your battles
• How to assess what’s a “reasonable risk”
• 5 “must ask” questions to defuse tensions in a conflict
• Analyzing and planning: what to say and do before you confront anyone
• How to get in an assertive mind-set
• Simple exercises to help calm yourself (master these and you can prevent a lot of blowups)

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 1606