Assertiveness is a trait that most managers want their staff to possess. We often hear statements like, “What I need is a real go-getter, someone who’ll take charge.” And Assertiveness can be an asset. Employees who are assertive work independently and avoid being derailed by setbacks. They are good leaders and they get the job done.
But there are some jobs that don’t require assertiveness. And actually, a person may be happier in the role if they are not assertive.
There are some jobs that don’t offer many opportunities to assert yourself. To name a few:
- Data entry professionals
- Administrative assistants
- Bookkeepers
- Retail store clerks
- Auto repair technicians
- Skilled trade professionals
- Warehouse specialists
- Dental assistants
- Social workers
- Truck drivers
- Hairstylists
A moderate amount of assertiveness is helpful in pushing projects forward, but high levels of assertiveness set employees up for frustration. Assertive people prefer to be in a role that allows them to be directive, make decisions, and change course as necessary to accomplish tasks.
When thinking about how to structure a team, consider who will be working closely together, and when collaboration is needed. In environments when a team needs to work cooperatively to achieve an outcome, it’s fine if one member of the team is a highly assertive go-getter and can assume the role of leader. But two or three assertive individuals all trying to run the show can be a recipe for power struggles and turf wars.
Finally, people with micromanagement tendencies struggle to work effectively with assertive employees. Most micromanagers don’t gravitate toward letting their people do whatever they deem necessary to get their jobs done. Ironically, often the people we hear saying they want the “hard chargers” later complain that they have to work too hard to rein these people in.
There are three key things to consider when determining just how assertive an employee you need:
- The job they’ll be doing
- The team members they’ll be working most closely with, and
- The way you’ll manage their day-to-day activities
Berke can help you identify the ideal level of assertiveness for your positions through our benchmark studies.
If you would like to learn more and talk to one of our product specialists, schedule a personalized demo.