Assert yourself at work: our best tips

It's no secret that the unspoken rules of the workplace tend to favor men. Women have to prove themselves and put in twice the effort to achieve the same results. Because we've all internalized these biased rules, we gradually lose confidence in our ability to succeed.

The key to truly taking your place? Building confidence and learning to trust your voice . Always on the ball, Puissante is here to put the power back in your hands. Here are our best tips for asserting yourself at work. 

Defining your professional goals

As with any personal development work, it is essential to set concrete goals. “I want to be more assertive at work” is a vague goal whose achievement can vary depending on mood or level of self-confidence at any given moment.

So before applying the following advice, take a moment for introspection . Ask yourself what the version of you who feels powerful at the office looks like.

To take it a step further, you can even create a simple two-column table. In the left-hand column, note the signs that, in your opinion, indicate you're not assertive enough at work . Opposite, list the tangible evidence of greater self-confidence at work .

Here are some examples to inspire you:

• Get the raise I've been waiting for for 2 years or change employers.

• To point out that I have not finished developing my idea when I am interrupted.

• To refuse tasks that I do not wish to do and that do not fit within my job description.

• To get closer to my union.

• Speaking out on my LinkedIn profile and sharing my employee experience.

• Dare to wear outfits that flatter me.

• To initiate legal proceedings for the harassment I have experienced.

• Giving and receiving constructive criticism.

Up to you !

Expressing one's feelings clearly at work

A crucial step to fully taking your place at work is to make yourself heard .

To clearly express your feelings, we suggest you draw on the principles of non-violent communication .

Formalized by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a method that encourages replacing judgment or assumption with objective observation . It allows for easier expression of thoughts and connection with others without harming them.

Among these numerous lessons, one simple and effective formula stands out. It consists of four parts and can be applied to almost any situation at work.

1. Describe the facts : begin by describing the objective facts of the situation. For example: "When I saw that the deadline had been moved forward..."
   

2. Expressing your emotions : Identify your emotions and express them clearly rather than making assumptions about the other person's intentions. For example: "With the ongoing projects, my workload is increasing, and I'm more frustrated and stressed because I can't make progress under optimal conditions."
   

3. Expressing your needs : Identify your needs and express them clearly. For example: "I need clarity and predictability to be able to work effectively…"

4. Making a request : formulate a clear and concise request that takes into account your needs and those of others.
   For example: "Could we review the deadline and find a solution that works for everyone?"

With this approach, you can clearly express your needs, boundaries, or thoughts while including the other person in the conversation. We challenge you to try it the next time a colleague asks the impossible. 

Knowing how to say no at work

We continue in the communications department to focus on one of the most difficult phrases to pronounce. In theory, "no" should be a complete sentence . We all know this; we've often heard and read it, both at the office and in our personal lives.

However, the workplace is a place where many power dynamics play out . The stakes of saying no sometimes seem far greater than they actually are. A refusal could cost us the sympathy of our colleagues, the trust of our superiors, our hard-won benefits, or perhaps even our job.

Don't panic, Puissante has the solution.

Rather than writing you a whole paragraph on the importance of saying no, we prefer to share a list of phrases to help you practice refusing tactfully .

• I will not be able to attend this meeting. I already have a prior commitment at that time.
  

• Thank you for considering me for this mission, but I am currently overloaded with work and am unable to accept an additional task.
  

• I understand that this task is important, but I'm not the best person to carry it out. I suggest you contact [person's name] who will be better able to assist you with it.
  

• I am not available to work outside of my current working hours. I prefer to respect my personal limits and maintain a good work-life balance.
  

• I disagree with this decision. I think [explain your point of view constructively]. I am open to discussion to find a solution that works for everyone.

Although seemingly innocuous, these phrases can help you avoid burnout and set boundaries while maintaining positive relationships with your colleagues. With practice, saying no while respecting your peers will become second nature. A method tested and approved by the Puissante team!

Conduct a skills assessment

It's no secret that women have a bad habit of underestimating their skills and soft skills .

A skills assessment is an effective way to discover your true professional value. Often undertaken during a career change, this process of analyzing and reflecting on your skills is also invaluable for asserting yourself in your current position .

It typically takes place over a 24-hour period, divided into several sessions. You will have individual interviews with a consultant, personality and aptitude tests, as well as analytical and synthesis exercises. At the end of the day, you will receive a report summarizing the results of the process and suggesting career paths .

Specialized organizations, human resources consulting firms, employment assistance associations, or even approved public bodies can help you highlight your talents.

The added bonus? You'll learn to assess yourself objectively by separating your skills from your value as a human being. Who you are and what you do are not correlated. You don't have to earn the respect of your colleagues; it's your due. 

Developing confidence in the workplace is like discovering what gives you pleasure: it takes time, exploration, and a few missteps . So progress with kindness and self-compassion. As you go along, you'll see that the skills you acquire at work are also powerful allies for regaining control in your everyday relationships . Speaking of healthy relationships, how about we finally say goodbye to female rivalry ?