What is assertiveness?

Assertiveness is about being rude, aggressive, or selfish.

Assertiveness is about standing firm in your convictions and expressing your needs respectfully.

Assertiveness is $$the quality of being confident and unafraid to express what you want or believe$.$

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Assertiveness is a critical leadership trait and lacking it can cost you the opportunity for advancement. Leaders are decision makers, not people pleasers. They must make tough calls $$ whether it$$s setting targets, enforcing deadlines, firing employees, denying promotions or restructuring the organisation.

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What challenges do leaders face in their careers and what practical solutions are available to become more assertive?

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Case:

Consider Leader Andrew, aged $41,$ a senior vice president at a public listed advertising company in Dubai. Despite constant praise from his boss and being well$-$liked by his colleagues and clients, he has remained stagnant in the same role for the past four years. He is discontent with his lack of career progress and wants to advance to the next level in his organisation within two years from now, otherwise he considers leaving the company. He is reluctant to express his ambitions to his supervisor and he seeks your help. You are the HR counsellor in the organisation.

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How can you tell that Andrew is not assertive?$$ Name $5$ red flags$$ of a person who is not showing assertiveness.

What practical tips and actions would you give Andrew to become more assertive and show his capacity and suitability for the role to his supervisor? Name $5$ practical solutions that you can recommend to Andrew to become more assertive.