Manage difficult conversations

Asserting & listening

Balance asserting and listening in difficult conversations

For managers and executives

Asserting & listening
Why this topic matters

In difficult conversations, it’s important to assert yourself to make your stance firm and clear, while also listening actively and having compassion for the other side.

What participants will do together
  • Review what it means to assert and listen well
  • Revise bad asserting/listening behaviors into good ones
  • Practice balancing the two effectively
  • Exchange feedback, reflections, and plans to apply it in real life
View 100+ other topics

Participant reflections

"I will use listening and asserting in 1-1 conversations with my team."

"I will listen more in conversations when I notice that the other party is upset or frustrated."

"I will assert myself in my upcoming performance review conversations with team members."

"The importance of asserting or listening depends on how the other party approaches the conversation."

"This was a fun and immersive experience with coworkers—I love the mix of group and solo work. I am a fan!"

"This was a terrific combination of individual and group learning. The tech feels groundbreaking!"

"This is a way better experience than watching eye-numbing videos. I love it."

"I love that Sparkwise makes it possible to chat with colleagues in real time while solving interesting problems."

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