
Be More Assertive at Work Without Being Aggressive
Being assertive at work without being aggressive comes down to one core skill: expressing your needs, opinions, and boundaries with clarity and respect—while staying open to others' perspectives. The key difference is intent. Assertiveness aims for mutual understanding; aggression aims to dominate. By using direct language, steady body language, and structured frameworks like the DESC method (Describe, Express, Specify, Consequence), you can speak up confidently without damaging professional rel

