Here's how you can assertively navigate challenging conversations with colleagues or clients.

To manage difficult conversations assertively, practice active listening to completely understand the other person's point of view. Communicate calmly and respectfully, expressing your own ideas clearly and constructively, in order to identify common ground and solutions.

The best way to move towards a goal as a team is constant support and communication between all parties, as well as planning and proper monitoring of each step to follow.

In my experience, the key in preparation to such convos is to not focus on potential scenarios and how you are going to respond to what exactly, because often times it is impossible to predict what anybody is going to say and how, and leaves you truly vulnerable. Too many times I've seen prep not working bc of this mindset. First and foremost, make sure to backtrack on what led you here to make sure you are well-aware of the current situation, and the remaining 90% of the prep is psychology. Do your best to make it feel like a game - with a clear goal, specific players that you understand personal traits of, and go into this talk feeling like you are on a mission instead of treating it like "an unwanted problem".

Navigating challenging conversations with colleagues or clients assertively is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and fostering open communication.

Según mi experiencia, prepararse y revisar los temas con anterioridad me ha ayudado a ver soluciones y como llegar más rápido a un acuerdo con otra persona. Dominar el tema es fundamental

Something that helps me a lot with active listening is no matter how well I may know or understand what somebody is telling me, I often like to respond like "wow, It never occurred to me/I didn't know it/how did you learn about it... etc", you get the drill. It not only shows you listen, but also makes one feel appreciated and unique, feel knowledgeable (which they truly are). It always results with this person, no matter how generally open or closed they are, to share so much more in a more personal way, and to me that helps understand this person more as a human, his dreams, motivation, concerns etc. It works both ways, too. Anything past that point becomes a much easier conversation with better results.

Before the conversation, take time to clarify your goals, anticipate potential issues, and consider different perspectives. Listen actively to understand the other person’s viewpoint, showing empathy and validating their feelings.

Emotions, when not controlled, invariably cause conflicts. This is not a desired state to have a conversation with a colleague or a client, let alone an assertive challenging one. Respond, thoughtfully and not react instinctively. And sometimes when emotions do run high, it may be wise to postpone the conversation to allow emotions to be reset.

Staying calm is difficult no matter how well you are trained in keeping your composure. Mostly because important and difficult conversations are usually about something or someone that we care about. Lately what worked for me was right before the "official" beginning of a convo/mtg, I take a deep breath, smile and go into the game with this smile on. 10\10 times it made a very stressful situation much lighter eventually. Simple but this works wonders.

I wholeheartedly agree that staying calm during challenging conversations is crucial. Emotions can escalate quickly, but maintaining composure ensures clear thinking and effective communication. Once, during a brainstorming session with a colleague, we had differing views on the creative direction for a campaign. By staying calm and taking a moment to breathe, I was able to listen actively and present my perspective clearly. This calm approach fostered a respectful and open dialogue, allowing us to combine our ideas into a successful, cohesive strategy. Remaining composed reinforced my professionalism and led to a positive, collaborative outcome.

Express your thoughts and feelings using “I” statements, like “I feel concerned about…” instead of blaming or accusing. Stay composed and avoid becoming defensive, as your tone and body language play a significant role in the conversation.

Decir exactamente en que queremos que la persona tome acción y que vaya enfocado a un evento o situación. Ej.: No se entregó completamente este reporte, en vez de decir "No entregaste el reporte completo", ya que esta segunda puede ir a una situación más personal.

This def works in my opinion, because it makes you sound like you are in the same boat and can easily be wrong, inviting the other half for an open conversation, leaving a lot more space for open-ended questions.

I am a strong advocate for focusing on solutions rather than stressing over problems. Assertive communication involves not just identifying issues but also proposing constructive suggestions. When addressing a problem, I always come prepared with potential solutions. This approach demonstrates proactivity and collaboration, helping to shift the conversation from confrontation to a more cooperative and productive dialogue. My method is to simplify and break down complex problems into manageable parts, making it easier to find comprehensive solutions. This strategy fosters a positive atmosphere and increases the likelihood of achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.

Often times this approach comes down to being humble and not being afraid to make a mistake/misjudge. Almost never one can have a properly designed solution before an open conversation, so it is always better to just start suggesting something ground-level and it will launch the process of adding, growing on top of this etc, and make anyone feel confident in speaking up too. Sometimes you just want to plant a seed.

Be clear about unacceptable behavior and set boundaries, communicating assertively but respectfully. Focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem, collaborating to identify mutually beneficial outcomes. Believe in your ability to handle difficult conversations, as confidence helps you stay assertive and maintain control. After the conversation, reflect on what went well and what could be improved, applying lessons learned to future interactions.

It is also good to take a higher-level approach. Instead of evaluating small events, focus on the overarching goal or purpose.It should be made clear that everyone shares the same goal and is therefore working together.It is important to practice tolerance. Not everyone has to do everything exactly as one might envision it themselves.What is more important is working well together, as this is the only way to achieve goals.No one can advance alone.And it is also important to know who has which competencies and not to assume you know everything better yourself. Each field of expertise usually involves significant education and experience. Be smart and leverage the experiences of others instead of trying to impose your own perspective on them.