Assertiveness and assertive rights

Definition of Assertiveness

Assertiveness is a fundamental communication skill.

It is the ability to express our opinions, feelings and needs in an honest, direct and respectful way.

Being assertive is finding the balance between passivity (not defending our rights) and aggressiveness (defending ours without respecting those of others).

Assertive rights as unwritten rights that we all possess

A key concept is assertive rights. They are unwritten rights that we all possess.

We often forget them, which negatively impacts our self-esteem.

The purpose: not to feel superior, but to be on the same level

Its purpose is not to make us feel superior, but to remind us that we are all on the same level, establishing relationships of equality.

Practical exercise: identify which rights we have assimilated and which ones we have not

Some of these rights are: the right to say "no" without guilt, to make mistakes, to change our minds, and to be treated with respect.

Knowing them gives us the internal permission to act assertively.

A good exercise is to read a list of these rights and honestly reflect on which ones we exercise and which ones we struggle with.

Summary

Assertiveness is the ability to communicate our needs and emotions in a clear, direct, and respectful way. It allows us to defend our rights without falling into passivity or aggression, seeking balanced relationships.

A key concept is assertive rights, unwritten principles that we all possess, such as the right to say "no" without guilt or to change our mind. We often forget these, affecting our self-esteem and relationships.

Practicing assertiveness involves identifying which rights we feel are our own and which ones we struggle to exercise. Reflecting on this helps us gain inner security and establish more equal and healthier relationships.