¶ … rights are in conflict with others' rights, do I If somebody does something that makes me angry, do I

If I want something to happen, do I

If I must confront a difference or issue, do I

Group Pressure

Conflict Management

Increase Morale and Productivity

Assess Your Assertiveness

Assertiveness Assessment Form

If I think my rights are in conflict with others' rights, do I:

Feel empathy with their positions, yet know I have a right to my own

This is exactly the position that I take whenever there is such a conflict. While it is imperative to consider the feelings and be considerate of the rights of others -- especially the colleagues, it is also imperative that one should assert his or her rights even if it goes against the rights of others. However, in real life, it is also imperative to stay away from personal issues and not make assertions of one's rights a personal issue with the other's rights (Lumsden, Lumsden & Wiethoff, 2010). In everyday life, it is common to disagree with another person such as in a public transport system or over rights to a promotion or reward at the job. While both parties could have equal rights to a reward, one should be assertive enough to place a bid for one's own right to a reward -- assuming the right is justified, at the cost of the other losing the reward. .

2. If somebody does something that makes me angry, do I:

b. Describe the problem without attacking the person

The basic principle of being equitably assertive is to put forward one's point in a civilized manner with clarity and justification and place it in an acceptable form to the other person. While doing so one does not need to exert physical force under any circumstances. This negates the effort of being justifiable as physical force can seldom by justified. To be assertive is to be able to put forward one's thinking and view to the other without being attacking even verbally would provide credence to the former's stance. Thus, in real life, if someone confronted with the problem of trying to explain a stand one has taken, one can be assertive in the justifications and strong logic behind the stand so that the other person is able not only to understand it but also come to appreciate the logic and the justification. All of this can be done without being over aggressive or attacking.

3. If I want something to happen, do I:

a. Express my preferences but allow others to have theirs, too

Being assertive means to be able to stand up for the personal rights and for the views and ideas of oneself and expressing of personal thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. It should be done in a manner that is direct, honest and spontaneous. But while expressing one's preferences it also needs to be remembered that one should be respectful of the rights of others. This means that while one professes one's preferences, he or she should also allow others to express their views as well. Hence, both the parties should strive to express their own preferences and no one should try and stop another from doing so (Lumsden, Lumsden & Wiethoff, 2010). This is often the case when one goes out in a group for dinner where everyone has his or her own food preference and in such situations everyone should be allowed to voice their preferences without imposing anything on anyone.

4. If I must confront a difference or issue, do I:

c. Use language that is direct, responsible, and problem-focused?

Behaving confidently and stating the mind without being frightened is described as being assertive. However being assertive also entails being direct while talking to another person while trying to be assertive about his views and ideas. The choice of language is also important. Being assertive also means being somewhat logical in what one says and that can be achieved the sentences that are logical and well composed. The wordings should be such that it should address the problem (Lumsden, Lumsden & Wiethoff, 2010). For example while talking about a particular way of doing an assignment at work, one can be assertive by being logical in the arguments and focusing on his views of solving the problem rather than talking about other things. This would help the other person to clearly understand the viewpoint and possibly concede to the logic and choice of words and sentences.

UNIT 7 DISCUSSION

Topic 1

This is an example of a passive communication between the nurse and the pediatrician. It is evident from the...

In passive communication or conversation styles, individuals often have a tendency to avoid expressing their feelings and opinions and this is what happens with the nurse. The factors that keep the nurse from speaking out her mind include her failure to assert herself, the tendency to allowing others to infringe on her rights and an overriding tendency to speak softly and apologetically.
Topic 2

Effective listening and questioning can be practiced by first being part of the conversation. If an individual is not actively part of a conversation then he or she would not be able to listen. And listening is very important for being able to correctly question someone. I could have practiced active listen first and noted down mentally the points being said and simultaneously build up arguments for or against the points. I would have used the points and the relevant arguments to place my case better while placing my questions. This way the questioning would have been better, more logical, direct and to the point which would have asserted my attentiveness and participation in the conversation in addition to asserting my point-of-view.

UNIT 8 DISCUSSION

Topic 1: Group Pressure

There have been instances when I have been pressurized -- knowingly or unknowingly, by groups in the social media to conform to a particular view on a current topic. There have been or, at least, I have felt such pressures that people have written down comments and voice opinions in such a manner that I was forced to feel that not conforming to the opinion of the majority would leave me out of the group. In such scenarios, there was the involvement of a team and there was pressure from most of them to conform to their opinions and views (Lumsden, Lumsden & Wiethoff, 2010). Or at least, I felt pressurized to do so. It was difficult to decide what exactly to do under such circumstance as I did not want to be felt left out and yet wanted to voice my opinion which was somewhat different from the majority. In the end, I decided to voice my opinion in a manner that sounded justified and logical resulting in a section of member agreeing to my opinion while it gave rise to a healthy debate within the group. In this manner I managed to get out of the situation and yet maintain my views and opinions (Lumsden, Lumsden & Wiethoff, 2010).

Topic 2: Conflict Management

Conflict resolution requires first to accept that there is a conflict where two or more people disagree on an issue. The television series that I recall had participants or characters with different aims and values and who viewed the other as potentially interfering with the achievement of these goals. I remember that the characters or, at least, some of them managed to resolve the conflicts by following the simple process of negotiations. Here the style of negotiation that was used was integrative bargaining where each of the parties allowed the other to benefit to an extent while benefitting themselves, this was possible through sharing of information and space. Those few who used the disruptive bargaining negotiation technique and wanted maximum gains for themselves ultimately were to able to resolve the conflict. Hence, the best method according to my perception was the integrative bargaining methods used by many was the most successful (Rothwell, 2010).

UNIT 9 DISCUSSION

1)

The smooth transition to Chou is possible through a concerted effort and proper role allocation of each member. Chou should be patient and develop[ the habit of listening to the team members and understanding their problems. While giving deadlines and work assigned the top priority, he Chou should focus on ten work with specific roles of each member and encourage the members to speak up and present their views in meetings. This would give them a sense of shared leadership and would eliminate fears and distrust in the minds of the team members (Rothwell, 2010).

2)

Motivation and interdependence with efficient role and responsibility allocation can help the team to become more efficient. Chou should try and make the team members more included in the leadership and decision-making process. Team members should be encouraged to openly talk about issues in meetings and discussions and come with new ideas to solve problems with will increase participation and…