Category Archives: Podcast Episodes

Posted on Friday, May 9, 2014

#039 – Embracing Positive Feedback (Assertiveness Pt 10) [Podcast]

Most people like hearing praise but some people bristle when they hear compliments and others downright hate them. What is it that determines whether someone enjoys receiving compliments or whether they turn sour at the first hint of positive feedback?

Positive Feedback

More often than not, how receptive we are to compliments is a reflection of our self-esteem and deep feelings of self-worth. Specifically, compliments can make people with low self-esteem feel uncomfortable because they contradict their own self-views.

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Posted on Friday, May 2, 2014

#038 – Giving Your Opinion (Assertiveness Pt 9) [Podcast]

Let’s face it … you can’t really be assertive if you aren’t giving your opinion.  But how do we do this in a way that embraces assertiveness and not aggression?  And do we have to give our opinion all the time?

Giving Your Opinion

We cover several principles of what “giving your opinion” means for assertive styles of communication.  Also, we cover several practical tips on giving your opinion.

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Posted on Friday, April 25, 2014

#037 – Body Language 101 with Vanessa Van Edwards (Assertiveness Pt 8) [Podcast]

Did you know that at least 60% of your communication is non-verbal?  Research indicates it might go as high as 93%.  That is a lot!  If we are going to become better communicators … assertive communicators … we can’t ignore the role that body language plays.  Vanessa Van Edwards of Science of People joins me to discuss the basics of body language.

Body Language 101

I ask several questions of Vanessa … from the basics of body language … to how to use body language in dealing with difficult people.

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Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2014

#036 – Preparing for Change (Assertiveness Pt 7) [Podcast]

Before we get to the assertiveness skills, there are a few last steps to consider.  You need to lay the groundwork for change in your life.

Preparing for Change

Before we embark on strategies to put more assertive styles of communication in our lives, we want to go over a few more suggestions to think about assertiveness, relationships, and change.

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Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2014

#035 – Replace Your Thoughts (Assertiveness Pt 6) [Podcast]

Now that we have covered stinking thinking that prevents us from establishing assertive styles of communication, how can you replace your thoughts with beliefs that push you toward assertiveness?

Replace Your Thoughts

In a previous episode, we talked about the overall aspects of Stinking Thinking.  Last week, we talked about how this applies to assertiveness.  Now, what types of beliefs and thoughts actually encourage us toward assertiveness?  And how do you replace your thoughts anyway?

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Posted on Friday, April 4, 2014

#034 – Stinking Thinking (Assertiveness Pt 5) [Podcast]

Whatever your mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. – Napoleon Hill

Stinking Thinking

In a previous episode, we talked about the overall aspects of Stinking Thinking.  How does Stinking Thinking apply to the topic of Assertiveness?  What are some examples of stinking thinking that can thwart our attempts to develop an assertive style of communication?

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Posted on Friday, March 28, 2014

#033 – Social Barriers (Assertiveness Pt 4) [Podcast]

It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. – Albert Einstein

Social Barrier

Seems obvious, only an idiot would try to keep doing the same thing and expect different results, right? But the truth is I’m guilty of it, my friends are guilty, my family are guilty and I guess each one of you reading this is also guilty of the syndrome. If change were easy we would all be different, more successful, healthier, fitter, stronger, slimmer, more intelligent and definitely more accomplished. But we are not. And here’s the reasons why.

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Posted on Thursday, March 20, 2014

#032 – Stress Barrier (Assertiveness Pt 3) [Podcast]

Stress is inevitable. A stress barrier can be a great inhibitor to establishing a habit of assertiveness.  Stress walks in and out of our lives on a regular basis. And it can easily walk all over us unless we take action.

Stress Barrier

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to minimize and cope with stress.  In this episode of First Things, we talk about how to minimize stress, re-evaluate our appraisal of stressful situations, and dealing with a stress barrier when in the middle of stress.

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Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2014

#031 – Assertiveness vs Aggressiveness (Assertiveness Pt 2) [Podcast]

What exactly is assertiveness?  What is the difference between assertiveness vs aggressiveness?  What about passivity or being passive-aggressive?

Assertiveness vs Aggressiveness

Many people believe that assertive and aggressive behavior means the same thing. The first step in managing difficult people at work is to clear up this confusion.  What is the difference in assertiveness vs aggressiveness?

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Posted on Friday, March 7, 2014

#030 – Assertiveness Pt 1: Introduction [Podcast]

For most of my life, I wasn’t assertive enough at work (I’m usually assertive enough in my personal life, but even there, I’m not always assertive enough). I was scared to death to speak in public. I’d often allow others to walk all over me, often ending in disastrous work situations. I was usually willing to state my ideas, but I would usually fold immediately in the face of criticism of those ideas.

Assertiveness

The Assertiveness Workbook by Dr. Randy Paterson takes on the spectrum of assertiveness problems and strives to point people towards an appropriate, mentally healthy level of assertiveness in their lives. Having that appropriate level allows a person to easily stand up for themselves, their ideas, and their goals, enabling them to climb the career ladder and build what they want for themselves. Let’s dig in.

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