Safety interview

Luis Vidal

Accounts and administration responsible - Nirco

What does assertive communication mean to you?

To be honest, the term "assertiveness" is relatively new to me—I didn’t learn it in school. I spent half my life unable to define, in a single word, what it means to express my opinion in a calm, confident, and polite manner.

That is a concise answer to the question, but I would also like to share what I believe leads a person to be assertive; for me, assertiveness is built upon other qualities or skills.

There is always the "form" (how something is said) and the "substance" (the content itself). When the substance is coherent, balanced, and respectful, it becomes easier to communicate in a way that is firm, calm, respectful, and—ultimately—empathetic.

That is why I find it crucial to prepare what one intends to communicate—the substance.

It is also important not to assume that the other person is already aware of the situation or the perspective you are about to present. You must take the time to ensure that both you and the other person are on the same page. This is where asking for feedback and practicing active listening come into play—everything helps.

That covers the perspective of when you are the one initiating the communication.

It becomes more challenging when we are on the receiving end of a difficult or sensitive conversation. In those moments, there is no time for prior preparation; we must rely on the skills we have already learned. Therefore, practicing assertiveness when we communicate helps us respond in the same way when we are the ones receiving information.

Do you consider assertive communication important in your work? Why?

It is even more important in the workplace, as we may not have an established relationship of trust with many of the people we interact with. Assertiveness helps build that trust, prevents misunderstandings, and enables us to achieve our goals. Ultimately, there is always an objective—even if it is as simple as ensuring that everyone has understood the same thing and is moving in the same direction. It does not have to be a zero-sum game, where one person’s gain is another’s loss. 

Do you find it easy to express your thoughts in a respectful way?

Under normal circumstances, I have no trouble; but when I have to contradict someone or address an uncomfortable situation, I clearly have to make an effort.

I find it particularly difficult when the other person fails to use common sense—when they are being unreasonable, unfriendly, or unfair—that’s when I get agitated.

As for being assertive, theory is one thing, but practice is another; as far as I’m concerned, I’ll be learning and practicing it for the rest of my life.