Assertiveness in interpersonal relations

Abstract

Assertiveness is the second – next to empathy – crucial competence in interpersonal communication. It is the ability to openly and directly talk about ourselves, our own beliefs, experiences and desires, so that our interlocutors have a chance to understand us better and respect our uniqueness. If people who do not want or are unable to understand and respect us, assertiveness takes the form of firmly saying “no!”, especially when others propose or pressure us to do the things we do not want to do. The task of educators is not only to teach pupils the above principles of assertiveness, but also to help them to be able to firmly say “no!” to themselves in the face of their own weaknesses and risk-taking behavior.

Article: M. Dziewiecki, Asertywność i empatia a wychowanie, https://opoka.org.pl/biblioteka/I/ID/empatia_asertywnosc