Speak Up, Stand Out: Assertiveness Workshops for Leaders and Teams
Elevate Your Impact: Our Assertiveness Customizable Trainings Designed To Create High-Performing Inclusive Teams
64% employees rarely speak up
According to a MIT study, 17% of employees said they do not speak up at all and 47% said they speak up only sometimes (on a third or less of speaking up topics-usually related to their own needs).
Performance decline for 66%
According to Mckinsey article, amongst employees who felt disrespected once a month or more: 66% said their performance declined; 47% decreased time spent at work; 78% reduced commitment.
3.5 wks on unproductive conflict
CPP Inc. found that U.S. employees spend 2.8 hours each week or 3.5 weeks a year dealing with conflict.
Many talented employees are disengaged, feel under-appreciated and disrespected which drastically reduces their productivity. When employees speak up more, they become more engaged and productive.
Top Reasons Employees Don't Speak Up
"Scared of Backlash"
Fear of losing their jobs, hurting their career, or having other negative consequences.
"Nothing Will Change"
Distrust in leaders, believe leaders won't take action or change anything.
"I'm Not Aggressive"
Fear of being perceived as aggressive, abrasive, rude, pushy, difficult, or insubordinate.
We de-risk speaking up for professionals to create a culture of open communication by combining top down safety initiatives with bottom up assertive communication training to unleash the best qualities of your human assets.
What Happens When Employees Learn To Speak Up Assertively
Retention
Employees feel respected, heard, and advocate for themselves.
Engagement
Employees express themselves authentically and often.
Productivity
Reduces conflict, anticipates problems, and breaks silos.
Equity & Inclusion
Amplifies diverse voices in the room.
Psychological Safety
Normalizes respectful open communication.
Innovation
Challenges status quo and reveals mistakes early on.
Adaptability
Enables agile problem-solving and agile decision-making.
Leadership
Leaders give better feedback and keep employees accountable.
TALKS / WORKSHOPS
SPEAK UP ASSERTIVELY: How To Be Assertive Without Being Aggressive
DESCRIPTION
Speaking up can feel risky in the workplace even though it is necessary to contribute, be productive, and lead effectively. The problem is that most people don’t want to be seen as difficult, upset others, or invite backlash. In this session, Ivna Curi reveals how to speak assertively at work without being aggressive. With assertiveness skills it is possible to navigate challenging conversations in an easy, constructive, and rewarding way. Discover how to communicate with confidence and get your point across while building meaningful relationships.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Find the courage to assert yourself by debunking common speaking up myths
- Identify your most used communication style
- Apply the 3Cs framework to speak up confidently and effectively
- Equip yourself with the assertive conversation formula
BREAK THE SILENCE: Encourage Open Communication And Psychological Safety
DESCRIPTION
Communicating difficult feedback, raising concerns, and holding others accountable is challenging. 65% of employees never or rarely speak up according to MIT-Microsoft research. Many employees fear retaliation or believe no action will be taken if they speak. However, a speaking up culture is necessary to increase performance, productivity, and engagement. It is key to enable trust and collaboration. Discover how to encourage open communication and create psychological safety in your team and with stakeholders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Identify your team’s self-advocacy voice, leadership voice, and business ownership voice
- Recognize the role of employees, leaders, and organization to promote psychological safety and foster open communication
- Develop a roadmap for a culture of open, safe, and productive communication
SPEAK UP AND BE HEARD: How Women Can Outsmart The Likability Penalty
DESCRIPTION
Women face unique challenges such as gender bias, inequality, and double standards that can make it difficult to assert themselves and be heard without being labeled as aggressive. In this session, Ivna Curi shows you how to break through those barriers and communicate with confidence, authority, and warmth while still staying true to their own voice and personality. In this session participants will gain practical steps to structure their communication for maximum impact and declutter their language from ineffective friendliness. They’ll add warmth and approachability without sacrificing authority or power and find the courage speak.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Apply practical steps to outsmart gender bias and crush the likability penalty when communicating
- Balance being taken seriously and maintaining harmony
- Overcome labels such as “too aggressive,” “difficult,” and “abrasive” with grace and confidence
SAFESPEAK: Speak Up Safely When It Feels Psychologicaly Unsafe
DESCRIPTION
In this session talk, Ivna Curi reveals 6 communication principles to speak safely at work even when it doesn’t feel safe. With these “SAFESPEAKING” skills it is possible to make difficult conversations easy, constructive, and even rewarding.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Assert yourself respectfully and effectively
- Empathize with others when you speak up and help them save face
- Use 6 communication principles to speak up safely
About The Company: Assertive Way
Assertive Way is the only company exclusively dedicated to providing speaking up and assertive communication skills for the workplace to create a robust speaking up culture that drives engagement, productivity, and innovation. Explore our interactive virtual and in person talks and workshops to inspire and engage your team. They are designed to provide actionable strategies the audience can immediately apply to speak up assertively and deal with workplace challenges. They are reliable and practical.
TALKS – Inspire, motivate, and teach.
WORKSHOPS – Educate, illustrate, and apply.
About The Speaker / Trainer / Consultant : Ivna Curi
Learn more about Ivna Curi and the Assertive Way Institute’s impact through our speaker reel, sample talks, media appearances, and insightful blog posts:
- Host of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast Show.
- MBA from INSEAD, the leading MBA program outside of the U.S.
- Forbes contributor.
- TEDx speaker “How To Speak Up Safely When It’s Psychologically Unsafe“
- Decade of corporate experience for Fortune 500 Johnson & Johnson, A.T. Kearney, and Etihad Airways leading teams.
- 20 thousand students in personal, group sessions, or trainings.
- Lived and worked around the world in 4 of the 7 continents.
- Speaker at conferences, events, and podcasts.
- Listen to a sample talk here.
Book A Call
Book a call with us today to discuss how our workshops can benefit your organization. Empower employees to communicate assertively, foster an inclusive environment, and excel in their careers with the Assertive Way Institute.
Submit Your Request
Alternatively contact me at info@assertiveway.com or ivnacuri@assertiveway.com.
Photo credits: Raven Hanning and Maddie Schwenneker