The Assertive Leadership Ladder
Many corporate leaders find themselves trapped in a cycle of conformity, afraid to rock the boat or challenge the status quo. For a high achiever who has built a successful career by having the right answers, being smart, and avoiding mistakes, it’s easy to get risk averse. You attend countless meetings, nod along to discussions, and struggle with the nagging feeling that you're losing a part of yourself in the process. Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone.
The Conformity Trap
The root of this problem often lies in a mindset that prioritizes conformity over authenticity. You feel pressure to:
Do things the "right" way
Fit into the corporate culture
Defer to those higher up in the hierarchy
Seek approval for your ideas
This conformity trap stifles creativity, suppresses your unique voice, and ultimately holds you back from reaching your full potential as a leader.
Climb the Assertiveness Ladder
The good news? Assertiveness isn't an all-or-nothing proposition. It exists on a spectrum, and understanding the range can help you navigate challenging situations with more confidence and impact.
Think of your level of assertiveness like a ladder.
1. Problem Focus. At the bottom of the ladder, you have meetings that rehash issues without moving towards solutions.
2. Collaborative Problem-Solving. A step up involves shifting conversations towards collectively brainstorming solutions, relying on the group to find the best path forward.
3. Bring a Recommendation. This more assertive approach involves coming prepared with potential solutions, so the team is critiquing a possible next step vs. creating it from scratch.
4. Informing. At this level, you aren’t so much discussing a solution as informing the stakeholders of the decision you have made and plan to implement. There is an implicit or explicit invitation for feedback, but you’re not seeking approval. You’re presenting a decision.
5. Implemented Action. The top of the ladder is the most assertive — informing others of actions you've already taken and the results achieved.
Assertiveness Requires Courage
Moving up the assertiveness ladder requires courage. The fear of being wrong or looking foolish in front of colleagues is real, and it’s been proven as one of the most vulnerable things you can do at work. But consider this: by staying silent or always deferring to others, you're not only selling yourself short but also depriving your team and organization of your valuable insights. Not to mention it erodes your agency, enthusiasm, and impact.
Transform Your Leadership through Assertiveness
When you move up the assertiveness ladder, you demonstrate the qualities that others perceive as strong leadership:
Strategic Thinking. By proposing solutions, you demonstrate your ability to think beyond immediate problems.
Decisiveness. Taking action shows your capacity to make tough calls when necessary.
Influence. Your willingness to speak up and offer ideas naturally increases your impact on others.
Leadership Presence. Assertiveness projects confidence and competence, enhancing how others perceive you.
Take the Assertiveness Challenge
As you face your next challenge at work – whether it's a team meeting, a one-on-one with your boss, or a complex project – this is your challenge. Step beyond your comfort zone, and move one step higher than you normally would on the assertiveness ladder.
Real leadership isn't about conforming to expectations or playing it safe. It's about having the courage to bring your authentic self to work, to voice your ideas, and to drive positive change. By embracing assertiveness, you're not just improving your own career prospects – you're paving the way for a more dynamic, innovative, and human-centered workplace. And you’ll recover some of the mojo you may have lost by ducking your head and following others’ expectations.
The impact could be transformative – not just for you, but for everyone you lead.
The choice is yours.
