Online Class: Assertiveness Training

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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11Lessons
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21Exams &
Assignments -
8,157Students
have taken this course -
8Hours
average time -
0.8CEUs
Course Description
Microsoft Visio 2013 is a program used to create simple and complex drawings of all types and for all purposes. Visio can be used to create diagrams, flowcharts, maps, floor plans, and more. Unlike the basic diagram functions found in other Office programs, Visio gives you the ability to create accurately scaled drawings and add detailed data, not just randomly sized shapes and text labels.
This course will teach you how to:
· Navigate Visio 2013 so you can find what you need, when you need to use it.
· Work with stencils and shapes to create diagrams, flowcharts, rack diagrams, and more.
· Add text labels to shapes and text headers to drawings.
· Enter detailed data into shapes and customizing the data.
· Insert images into drawings.
· Work with layers and grouped shapes.
· Create flowcharts, organization charts, and swimlane diagrams
· Validate flowcharts and diagrams to check for errors.
· Customize drawings with themes, variants, and special effects.
· Print and share diagrams.
· Visualize your data in your drawings with data graphics.
· Work with containers and callouts to add structure to your drawings.
· And more.
This course will teach you how to successfully use MS Visio 2013, no matter if you've ever used the program before or not. Both the beginner and seasoned Visio user can benefit from this course, starting with the basics of the program including navigation and continuing on to more advanced features. You do not need to have access to MS Visio 2013 to take or complete this course. However, it is recommended.
Course Motivation
Why Is Being Assertive So Difficult for So Many People?
There are many answers to this question, but the most common are:
- Insecurity: You lack an accurate, healthy appreciation for your own talents, abilities, and self-worth.
- Fear: You worry that you will not get what you want, that you will lose something you need or already have, or that you will be rejected.
- Shyness: You are unable to speak up or communicate because your personality is one of quiet reflector, or you are more of a laid back person.
- A desire to fit in with peers: Social pecking orders and group pressure do a lot to keep people "in their place." Everyone knows someone who has been ostracized from a group for disagreeing with the status quo or expressing a desire to have personal needs met if those needs conflict with the needs of those higher up in the hierarchy. The more dysfunctional the group, the more oppressed the individual becomes.
- Lack of self-direction: You do not know what to ask for because you do not really know what you want.
- Lack of knowledge: Knowledge is power. If you are ignorant of what you are capable of having and do not take the time to do your research or prepare well, you have nothing to back up your desires with.
- Inability to negotiate well: You do not know how to communicate the reasons why others should meet your needs and how they would benefit from doing so.
The later lessons of this course will address all of these roadblocks to assertiveness and self-confidence and help you overcome them with a little hard work and practice.
How Does Assertiveness Differ from Passiveness and Aggression?
From the time we are very young, we begin to assert ourselves. Listen to any toddler closely and you will hear the word "no" uttered often. You will also hear the same word, equally as often, coming from the parents of that toddler.
Here is an example of that type of dueling assertiveness: Little Jimmy is presented with a large helping of strained peas for lunch; he shouts "No!" and lifts the bowl to dump the peas on his head. His mother's eyes open wide in dismay, and she responds with a "No!" of her own. If Jimmy were a little older, he would understand how to better communicate his hatred of peas and negotiate some tasty strained peaches from his mother instead by explaining that peaches are just as healthy as peas and taste better, too.
Even at this early stage of life, Jimmy is learning a lesson about asserting himself. His mother, depending upon her reaction, is teaching him a particular lesson about what happens when he asserts himself, depending on her response. Let us not analyze the situation too much, or the parent-child relationship. Let us just use it for a point of learning reference. Like any new venture, starting the process of being assertive begins with baby steps. So, let us use the Little Jimmy example to compare assertiveness, passiveness, and aggression.
We will assume that Jimmy's mother is out of everything but strained peas. She has no choice but to feed him his least favorite meal, so she proceeds to spoon-feed him the peas, cajoling, cooing, and attempting all forms of persuasion to get him to eat them:
- If Jimmy eats his peas without a fuss, maybe even gags a little with each bite because he hates them so much but finishes them without protest, he is being passive.
- If Jimmy grabs the bowl from his mother's hand and throws it at her, making a mess all over her, the floor, and the walls, thereby upsetting her, he is being aggressive.
- If Jimmy takes a few bites, remembers why he hates the peas so much, and clamps his mouth shut, refusing to take one more bite, he is being assertive.
It really is that simple.
Passive people eat the hated peas and do what others want them to do to earn their approval without question, whether they like it or not.
Aggressive people overreact, making a mess and angering people to the point that no one wants to give them anything, or people give them what they want out of fear instead of cooperation.
Assertive people know what they want and do not want, make those desires clear, and refuse to budge unless a reasonable explanation or alternative is offered from the other person.
Later on we will cover avoiding another behavior, passive aggression, in more detail; but it is important to understand what that behavior is as well. It is used by many people who do not know how to get what they want from others in a direct manner. It is not healthy and does not help develop happy, trusting relationships with others.
Passive aggression is when people use covert, sneaky, and indirect methods of being aggressive. They do this because they cannot express anger or be direct about their real emotions, wants, or needs. Often, passive aggressive behavior becomes a response to dealing with another passive aggressive person or from continually not getting what one wants and needs from another regularly. Fear is at the root of passive aggressive behavior: fear of being rejected or having to deal with another's anger, or fear of the consequences that will result if they assertively ask for what they need. The fear of asking for what they want, expressing their true emotions, or admitting they need the other person is very profound. Passive aggression is used often to retaliate against others for real or perceived slights by using or displaying some of following behaviors:[ii]
- Forgetfulness: I forgot your birthday, or I forgot to finish my assignment, call the client, take out the garbage, call you, etc.
- Blaming: It is not my fault I am late; it is the traffic every night. It is not my fault I get fired every few months; all my bosses are unreasonable. I have no faults; nothing is my fault.
- Lack of anger: While never or rarely showing anger externally or directly, passive aggressive people retaliate in an underhanded way.
- Obstructionism: This behavior involves never really giving others what they want or need; in fact, going out of the way to deny others what they want, while pretending all the while to have intentions of fulfilling those wants and needs.
What Does Assertive Behavior Look and Feel Like?
Since Little Jimmy was such a good example of simple assertiveness, let us use him again to get a handle on what assertiveness looks and feels like. Taking the stance of firm refusal to accept what he does not want, peas, it appears externally that Jimmy is being confident and self-assured. To people who may be controlling or inflexible themselves, it may appear that he is being stubborn, willful, or bratty. Wrong! He was clearly asserting himself and not being defiant. Throwing the peas? That is another story.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1: Assertiveness Defined
Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam
Lesson 2: Methods of Assessing and Developing Healthy Self-esteem
Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam
Lesson 3: Your Personal Level of Assertiveness
Lesson 3 Video
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam
Lesson 4: Improving Communication
Lesson 4 Video
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam
Lesson 5: Conflict Resolution
Lesson 5 Video
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam
Lesson 6: Appropriate Workplace Assertiveness
Lesson 6 Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam
Lesson 7: Appropriate Personal Assertiveness
Lesson 7 Video
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam
Lesson 8: Combating Fear of Assertiveness
Lesson 8 Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam
Lesson 9: What Do You Really Want?
Lesson 9 Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam
Lesson 10: Achieving Balance
Lesson 10 Video
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
Course Conclusion
Lesson 11 Video
Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Assessment: Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define assertiveness and understand how it differs from aggression.
- Summarize defined methods of assessing and developing healthy self-esteem.
- Identify your own personal level of assertiveness and determine what improvements may be needed.
- Describe basic techniques for improving your communication skills.
- Describe methods to use in peaceful conflict resolution.
- Summarize and establish appropriate assertiveness techniques to use in the workplace.
- Determine your own personal level of assertiveness that is appropriate for you.
- Recognize the fears you have associated with assertiveness and define techniques to combat them.
- Determine and describe what it is you really want and identify how assertiveness can achieve this goal.
- Identify ways to balance the level of assertiveness to use in everyday life.
- Review your own personal level of assertiveness and identify how you will use it in the future.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "I learned a lot in this course and was able to identify where my communication skills causes conflict. I am looking forward to practice and improve the way I approach and handle issues in the future." -- Jennifer J.
- "As someone who just recently got out of a relationship and has started a brand new position at work and has had trouble asserting myself in both areas, I found this course to be a really helpful tool in moving forward and conquering both aspects of life." -- Mackenzie T.
- "It was extremely helpful to me. I learned that being assertive doesn't mean being aggressive. Also, not to be intimidated by another's aggressiveness, believing that I did something wrong and deserve the disrespectful treatment. Also, not to be dismayed when another's personal attacks try to shift the responsibility for their unreasonable behavior off them and to me (or to let them). I have learned that in asserting myself dealing in business matters a 'short and sweet' interaction, explaining problem and desired solution is all that is required, not lengthy complaints and arguments. I am glad I signed-up for this class, and it has made clear that I am not responsible for another's problems or decisions. I've also seen that one or two attempts at asserting myself in certain situations will not succeed at once. But I always have options to remove myself from certain toxic personalities. Patience is needed to discover that option." -- Jane F.
- "I looked forward to each lesson of this Assertiveness training course and was pleasantly surprised that each lesson was so relevant to everyday living, interacting with people. This morning, when I logged into my final lesson, I was sincerely inspired by the words of encouragement that you offered. This doesn't happen often in life anymore and I was so grateful for your kind and supportive words of wisdom. Thank you for offering this course and for the instructor's kindness and clear communications. I am grateful for the opportunity to have taken this and am confident it will provide positive growth and support for me as I move forward into retirement and a new chapter in my life." -- Diane S.
- "I entered this course in the recovery stage of a failed long term relationship. It helped me tremendously as I began to rebuild a stable and successful new life. It took me almost six months to complete the course, because the topics were hitting home in a deeply personal way. I needed the information and tools to help me make the transition to health and to understand how to assert myself appropriately. Thanks again to the instructor and for a well laid out course of study. Bravo!" -- Arlene A.
- "Thank you for all your help with me being able to be more assertive in my life by these teaching tools." -- Sandra W.
- "Excellent course. The assertiveness courses I've taken focused on self-esteem and behavior. I was surprised that knowing what you want/goal making is important to assertiveness. This has helped me tremendously! Excellent course and thanks soo much." -- Marvett B.
- "I recommend this course to anyone, but do your own additional research and try and do your best in the assignments. For me, this is the key area where I did most of my learning." -- John B.
- "This course has helped me understand what assertiveness was and it will help me in the future in my personal life and my work life." -- Kristen A.
- "I appreciate all of the feedback from the instructor. Even when I had 5 out of 5, he gave me further instruction." -- Lori G.
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