Striking the balance: Assertiveness training for constructive workplace conversations in India

ABSTRACT

The Assertiveness Training Program seeks to cultivate a balanced and constructive approach to workplace communication, empowering participants with the skills needed to navigate conversations effectively. Recognizing the delicate equilibrium between Assertiveness and empathy, the program emphasizes the importance of expressing one’s thoughts and needs assertively while fostering a collaborative and understanding atmosphere. An assessment is conducted for 50 employees on their Assertiveness Level and Leadership Competencies. The participants were asked to answer a questionnaire (Assertiveness and leadership competencies) before the beginning of the group training. Assertiveness. Tools: Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. Through a series of engaging workshops (8 Sessions) for employees with practical exercises, participants strike the right balance between Assertiveness and Active Listening, enabling them to communicate with confidence and receptivity. The program aims to equip individuals with tools to address conflict, provide constructive feedback, and build stronger professional relationships. By mastering the art of striking this balance, participants contribute to a workplace culture where open and respectful dialogue thrives, creating an environment conducive to innovation, teamwork, and overall organizational success.

KEYWORDS:

• Assertiveness
• group counselling
• boundaries
• negotiation skills
• conflict resolution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Statements and Declarations

The Author declares that this is an original work and has not been published in any form before submission. The work has not been submitted elsewhere concurrently. There is no conflict of interest and Funding exists while conducting group sessions and composing the Manuscript.

Ethical Committee Approval

The Institutional Ethical Committee for Studies on Human Subjects (IECH) of Vellore Institute of Technology University granted ethical permission to perform the study (document date and number: VIT/IECH/XIVb/2023.01). The Training program is planned for 8 sessions and has received approval on the training plan from 2 experts (academician and practitioner). Additionally, every participant provided the necessary informed consent. 24 male and 15 female participants in the group research have finished all eight sessions and around ten hours of dynamic, individual-centered group counseling.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shivani Jandhyala

Shivani Jandhayla a Research Scholar from India also a Counselling practitioner with more than 3 years of experience in the adult population especially with working employees. I have a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and worked for 3 years in the Manufacturing Industry as a Counsellor for employees working under pressure. I handled concerns of women who were suffering from Domestic violence, work-life balance, and Stress-inoculation, building Healthy communication patterns at the workplace. Marital counseling was provided to needy employees. I also was an active member in the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace according to the POSH Act 2013 India. Currently, I am a research Scholar at “The Vellore Institute of Technology” ” conducting my main study in the area of organizational psychology.

Navin Kumar

Dr. Navin Kumar Associate Professor grade 2, from Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore has nearly 10 years of experience in teaching and 8 years of experience in guiding research scholars. Dr. Navin Kumar also was a life skill trainer in DRDO during the early stages of his Career as a Psychologist. Dr. Navin Kumar graduated with his Doctoral studies from Bhagalpur University Bhagalpur, Bihar in 2009.