If you want to break through the glass ceiling and achieve the professional success you deserve, make sure you communicate and lead others in an assertive manner, rather than an aggressive one. Many women in the workplace confuse these two characteristics, but the fact is assertive women get promoted, while aggressive women alienate their peers and superiors.
If you want to see an example of an aggressive professional, look for the manager who is viewed by others as “difficult” and “not a team player.” She becomes overly angry or emotional when communicating, causing others to tune her out and work around her. Because of her weaknesses, she is often passed up for promotions and gets stuck in low- to middle-management positions.
An assertive woman, on the other hand, takes ownership of her reputation and career. She has a great deal of insight into her emotions and is able to directly express her needs and expectations. She effectively communicates her expectations with a given situation in a respectful manner, which is appreciated by others.
If your goal is to advance your career, strive to cultivate assertive communication. Examine situations and challenges that fuel your emotions and take ownership of them. Do not blame others for pushing you over the edge; own your strengths and weaknesses and build on them to fuel your passion and achieve your goals.
