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- Assertiveness and Self-Confidence Course (1 day)
Assertiveness and Self-Confidence Course (1 day)
Staff who speak up, say no professionally and handle criticism and pressure calmly – without tipping into aggression.
Capable people often stay quiet in meetings, agree to work they cannot deliver, or swing between saying nothing and saying too much. The result is overload, resentment and decisions made without the right input. This one-day assertiveness training gives staff the confidence and the words to stand their ground respectfully.
Delegates start with what confidence and assertiveness are, how the passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive styles differ, and what holds people back – fear of failure, self-doubt, comparison and comfort zones. They then practise the tools: positive self-talk, sounding and looking confident, saying no, setting boundaries, giving and receiving criticism, and dealing with aggressive and passive behaviour. The day ends with how managers can build confidence in their own teams.
Exercises are short and done in pairs and small groups, so quieter delegates practise without being put on the spot in front of the whole room.
Why this course
For your organisation
- Staff who contribute in meetings instead of staying silent
- Fewer unrealistic commitments and less hidden overload
- Disagreements handled directly and respectfully
- Managers who build confidence in their teams
For your delegates
- Techniques to manage self-doubt and negative thinking
- Words for saying no and setting boundaries professionally
- A method for giving and receiving criticism
- A personal confidence action plan
What delegates will be able to do
- Distinguish passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive behaviour
- Recognise the barriers that undermine your confidence
- Use positive self-talk and rephrasing to manage self-doubt
- Sound and look confident through voice, tone and body language
- Say no and set boundaries without damaging the relationship
- Give and receive criticism constructively
- Respond calmly to aggressive and passive behaviour
- Project confidence in meetings, presentations, interviews and online calls
Who should attend
Staff at any level who find it hard to speak up, say no or handle pressure: new and emerging managers who must give feedback and hold their ground, customer-facing and support staff who handle difficult interactions, technical specialists who need to influence without authority, and anyone who over-apologises or avoids necessary conflict.
Course outline
Day 1 – Building confidence and assertiveness
Confidence and assertiveness
- What confidence and assertiveness are – and are not
- The four styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive
- Signs of low confidence at work
- What assertive behaviour gives you and the team
What holds us back
- Fear of failure and self-doubt
- Indecision and staying in the comfort zone
- The cost of comparing yourself to others
- Traits of confident people: self-aware, responsible, optimistic, courageous and humble
Tools for building confidence
- Positive rephrasing and self-talk
- Visualising a successful outcome
- Routines, mindfulness and learning new skills
- Identifying your strengths and setting goals
Communicating with confidence
- Sounding confident: voice, tone and pace
- Looking confident: posture, eye contact and dress
- Using I-messages
- Saying no and setting personal boundaries
- Projecting confidence in meetings, interviews, presentations and online
Handling difficult situations
- Giving criticism that is specific and fair
- Receiving criticism without becoming defensive
- Responding to aggressive behaviour
- Responding to passive behaviour
- Holding your position in a negotiation
Building confidence in others
- Listening to learn
- Recognising successes and learning from failure
- Delegating meaningful work and valuing opinions
- Personal action plan
How it is delivered
One day, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20. Workbook, self-assessment and a personal action plan included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.
What our clients say
★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 790+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses
“The training was well executed and of a high quality … We would like to recommend BOTI for future trainings.”
“The course was efficiently scheduled and planned around our timetable. We were impressed by the quality of training, as well as the experience of the facilitator”
“We have been very impressed with their service and rollout of the training.”
Frequently asked questions
Can you run this course at our offices?
Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa; we can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.
How many people can attend?
From one delegate to groups of about 20. The price per delegate drops as the group grows – see the price table, or ask us for a quote.
Is it accredited?
No – it is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Will shy delegates be put on the spot?
No. Practice happens in pairs and small groups, and nobody has to perform in front of the whole room. Delegates choose the real situations they want to work on.
Can managers attend with their teams?
Yes. The final module covers how managers build confidence in others, and training a team together gives everyone the same language for assertive conversations. Tell us if you would rather run separate groups.
Can you run this course in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban?
Yes. We train on site at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and across South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online so a team spread over several offices can attend together.
Related courses
Ask a consultant for a written quote
A BOTI consultant emails you a written quote, usually within 15 minutes (Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00). After hours, we reply on the next working day. To speak to someone now, call 011 882 8853.
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