The meaning of assertiveness

I. Assertive behavior is where you are able to:

1/ Act in your own best interests
2/ Stand up for yourself without undue anxiety
3/ Express honest feelings comfortably
4/ Exercise personal rights without denying the rights of others.

II. Situations where assertiveness may be appropriate include:

1/ Your manager making unfair comments on your work
2/ Another student failing to pull his or her weight in your group
3/ Another person claiming credit for your work
4/ A new salary agreement disadvantaging you
5/ A client falsely criticising your product to justify breaking a contract

III. Example of a statement to a demanding supervisor

When you ask me to take on another job with a tight deadline, I feel pressured because I don't have adequate time to do the new job properly and carry out the other work I have to do.

IV. References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.

The meaning of assertiveness

I. Assertive behavior is where you are able to:

1/ Act in your own best interests
2/ Stand up for yourself without undue anxiety
3/ Express honest feelings comfortably
4/ Exercise personal rights without denying the rights of others.

II. Situations where assertiveness may be appropriate include:

1/ Your manager making unfair comments on your work
2/ Another student failing to pull his or her weight in your group
3/ Another person claiming credit for your work
4/ A new salary agreement disadvantaging you
5/ A client falsely criticising your product to justify breaking a contract

III. Example of a statement to a demanding supervisor

When you ask me to take on another job with a tight deadline, I feel pressured because I don't have adequate time to do the new job properly and carry out the other work I have to do.

IV. References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills include the following.

1/ Personal presentation

2/ Listening skills

3/ Questioning skills

4/ Oral-presentation skills

5/ Customer-service skills

-Have a good knowledge of products, services and contracts
-Admit mistakes, as appropriate, and offer solutions
-Create a helping climate and build rapport
-Acknowledge the customer's point of view
-Be accessible and listen to the customer with empathy

6/ Skills to work in teams

7/ References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills include the following.

1/ Personal presentation

2/ Listening skills

3/ Questioning skills

4/ Oral-presentation skills

5/ Customer-service skills

-Have a good knowledge of products, services and contracts
-Admit mistakes, as appropriate, and offer solutions
-Create a helping climate and build rapport
-Acknowledge the customer's point of view
-Be accessible and listen to the customer with empathy

6/ Skills to work in teams

7/ References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.

Group discussions

1/ As a group member, we need to carry out the following tasks.

-Give information and opinion
-Ask for information and opinion
-Clarify things
-Summarize
-Evaluate
-Take notes

2/ As a facilitator in the group discussion, we need to

-Encourage discussion
-Listen to others
-Be cordial and pleasant
-Express feelings and mood
-Reduce tension
-Facilitate participation in the group

3/ Skills to work in teams

-Contribute information
-Monitor progress and keep team members informed of developments
-Clarify objectives, goals
-Support each other
-Seek feedback on the team's efforts
-Give feedback to people who might be supporting the team (for example, admin staff, colleagues, relatives)

4/ References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.

Group discussions

1/ As a group member, we need to carry out the following tasks.

-Give information and opinion
-Ask for information and opinion
-Clarify things
-Summarize
-Evaluate
-Take notes

2/ As a facilitator in the group discussion, we need to

-Encourage discussion
-Listen to others
-Be cordial and pleasant
-Express feelings and mood
-Reduce tension
-Facilitate participation in the group

3/ Skills to work in teams

-Contribute information
-Monitor progress and keep team members informed of developments
-Clarify objectives, goals
-Support each other
-Seek feedback on the team's efforts
-Give feedback to people who might be supporting the team (for example, admin staff, colleagues, relatives)

4/ References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.

Cultural behaviours in Australia

1. Legal contracts: contracts are legally binding and enforceable by law.

2. Social customs: Australians tend to be forgiving of violations of their own social customs by foreigners.

3. Use of space: Australians prefer lots of personal space.

4. Use of time: Australians prefer to be on time and quickly get down to business in a meeting.

5. Friendships: Australians try to make friends very quickly and regard their business acquaintances as possible friends.

6. Class systems: class is not a predominant issue in Australia.

7. Dress: formal business attire is important. An exception would be academic settings.

8. Religion: many Australians are not deeply religious and lack knowledge of other religious beliefs.

9. Practicality: most Australians are practically oriented. If something has no practical value, it is usually thrown out.

10. Efficiency/materialism: efficiency is usually measured in terms of costs and benefits.

11. Change: while resistant to change, Australians will accommodate it eventually.

12. Competition: Australians will entertain competition in business.

13. Formality: while ostensibly formal in their dress, Australia is among the least-formal cultures in the world.

14. Equality of opportunity: Australians still have a long way to go, but are closer to equal opportunity than many other cultures.

15. Written communication: using a standard written document is usually seen as the best medium. Reports, memorandums and letters have a standard recognisable format.

16. References

Terry Mohan, Helen McGregor, Shirley Saunders and Ray Archee "Communicating as professionals", 3nd Ed, Thomson, 2008.