Management Tip of the Day: Be Assertive While Being Yourself

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile DECEMBER 5, 2012 Be Assertive While Being Yourself If you're reserved, you've likely been told you need to be more assertive at work. But if that's not your natural style, how can you still ask for what you need and get what you want? Here are three ways: Start with a success inventory. To understand when your style is effective or not, spend a week assessing your success. Before a meeting, ask yourself, "What do I want?" Then, afterwards, evaluate the results. Set small goals. Challenge yourself with a specific goal. For example, give yourself a week to initiate three difficult conversations with colleagues. Or promise that in group discussions for the next month, you'll speak up within the first two minutes. Build relationships. If you hold back because you're uncomfortable with your co-workers, consider interacting more with colleagues outside of work so that you feel more at ease speaking up. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Be Assertive (Without Losing Yourself)" by Amy Gallo. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Building a Growth Factory: Four Components that Make Innovation Repeatable HBR Single Even the best-performing companies eventually stall. Sustaining momentum – and remaining a great growth company – takes a system. In the latest HBR Single, "Building a Growth Factory," Scott Anthony and David Duncan draw on their extensive experience working with growth factory organizations — most notably Procter & Gamble and Citigroup. They highlight the four main components that make innovation repeatable and reliable and offer practical advice on how you can put their system into action in your own company & whether it's a large multinational or a small start-up. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Motivate Disgruntled Employees Use "Returnships" to Bring in Fresh Talent What You Can Do To Prevent Layoffs Keep Your To-Do List Fresh with the 3-Day Rule Delegate, Delegate, Delegate Don't Waste Your Organization's Anniversary Turn a Relationship Into a Sale Use Sound Bites to Make Your Presentation Stick Ask These 3 Questions Before Joining that Start-Up Energize Your Network All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)