Expressing one's needs and rights in a direct, honest manner without violating others' rights.
From Latin 'assertus' meaning 'claimed, declared,' past participle of 'asserere' (to claim, maintain).
Assertiveness is the sweet spot between being a pushover and being pushy — standing up for yourself while still respecting others.
Assertiveness was historically pathologized in women as 'unfeminine' aggression while celebrated in men as leadership. The double bind penalizes women for both passivity and assertion.
Use 'assertiveness' neutrally for all people; recognize it as a professional communication skill independent of gender.
["confidence","directness","clarity"]
Women had to reclaim assertiveness training in the 1970s-80s workplace as legitimate professional behavior, overcoming century-long conditioning toward compliance.
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