Assertive
Culture
Do you know what an “assertive culture” is?
What is an "Assertive Culture"?
An assertive culture is one where all members of an organization can express their thoughts freely without relying on extremely assistive facilitation and not requiring high psychological safety. The foundation of an assertive culture lies in the creation of assertive teams.
What is an "Assertive Team"?
An assertive team is one where each member can voice their opinions without the need for highly managed facilitation or advanced psychological safety. In assertive teams, members do not need to spend energy thinking about how to motivate or involve others—everyone contributes independently.
Building an assertive team cannot be achieved by a single driving force or leadership skill alone. Every member must develop the same ability to self-determine while working towards the company's goals collaboratively within the team.
BEMi Specializes in Assertiveness
While other companies often focus on assertiveness at the individual level, BEMi is unique in offering training that targets team dynamics. Our programs are designed to foster assertiveness within teams, creating a truly assertive culture that no other training company provides.
■ Unable to speak up when feeling confused or curious
■ Avoid disagreement even when differing opinions are needed
■ Unable to clarify uncertainties
■ Unable to share valuable ideas in discussions
■ Individuals from various groups seek safety by creating silos*
■ Fear of speaking or asking questions outside their area of expertise
■ Fear of asking questions that might be judged as foolish
*"Silos" tend to focus only on their own work, becoming increasingly unaware of the needs of other departments, stakeholders, and even customers.
■ Discussions progress too slowly
■ Ideas are not shared
■ Poor ideas are not challenged
■ Say nothing even if changes seem illogical or confusing
■ Do not voluntarily express concerns about how changes will impact actual work
The common definition of assertiveness is often said to be about respecting yourself while also respecting others, but this is incorrect. If someone thinks that voicing your opinion is rude, no one can judge or understand that you stayed silent out of respect.
Assertiveness is not about respect; it’s about being able to honestly express your thoughts, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
What is the biggest obstacle
to being assertive?
"Interruptiphobia" (fear of interrupting)
Fear of interruption is the most significant barrier to assertive growth. To understand why and learn how to overcome this fear, check out this free PDF! Use it to accelerate development within your team!
Case Study
Past programs and actual programs
Let me introduce you to a real story!
STEP 1: Understanding the Problem
Unraveling the Mystery: The Prolonged Silence
Company X, a global enterprise, was plagued by a complex dilemma. Despite having acquired experienced and capable staff, their meetings were enveloped in silence. It wasn't a language issue; it was fear. Employees hesitated to speak up, ask questions, or challenge ideas, fearing they would be seen as aggressive or self-serving. Enter BEMi, poised to break through misconceptions and drive transformation.
STEP 2: Hosting an event
Seeding Transformation: The First BEMi Event
When the department head of Company X gathered nearly 100 employees for BEMi's first event, it began with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. Amidst uncertainty, curiosity flickered. The goal was simple yet profound: to redefine "assertiveness" and help overcome the fear that hinders speaking up. Through interactive discussions, members aligned on the meaning of assertiveness and core challenges, preparing for a cultural transformation rooted in the natural desire to contribute.
STEP 3: Training Development
Starting Assertive Team Training
We embark on assertive team training at the heart of transformation. Small groups of eight members each will set out on a journey of self-discovery and growth. Guided by BEMi's experienced facilitators, they will face unexpected projects in every session, revealing their fears and learning from them. Each session will address and analyze the internal barriers to speaking up. The goal is to uncover each individual's core fears and develop resilience skills to survive even if their worst fears come true. They will learn that assertiveness is not built on the promise of success, but on the ability to recover from failure.
STEP 4: Signs of change
Ripple Effect: Gaining Momentum
A slow wave of transformation swept through Company X as participants of the BEMi program emerged with newfound confidence and insights. They shared glowing reviews of their experiences, emphasizing that not only had their assertive behavior been strengthened, but their performance in real meetings had improved. Witnessing their colleagues speak up effortlessly, even in difficult or large discussions, was inspiring. Slowly but surely, more employees began to step up, eager to experience the benefits of BEMi’s assertive team training firsthand. This organic growth, fueled by a shared sense of possibility, delivered palpable momentum—Maybe it’s okay to say what I’m thinking!
STEP 5: Culture Shift Emerges
Spiral: Gradual Cultural Evolution
Four years later, Company X continued to evolve. The change was not a sudden revolution but a steady progression in line with Japanese culture's pace. BEMi’s methodology was deeply embedded in the company’s ethos, fostering a culture where assertive behavior flourished organically. Over time, employees shed their inhibitions and gradually began to express their thoughts and opinions with newfound confidence. This subtle yet profound shift propelled innovation and collaboration to new heights, marking a significant departure from the previous norms of silence and reserved attitudes.
STEP 6: Moving Beyond Assertiveness
Advancement: Exploring Horizons Beyond Assertiveness
As Company X held more dynamic and efficient meetings in an environment where voices resonated more freely, they began contemplating the next stage of their cultural evolution. While satisfied with the progress in assertive behavior, there was a growing curiosity about what lay beyond. This curiosity gave rise to a new initiative, "BEMi Beyond." The focus shifted towards improving meeting dynamics through less restrictive facilitation methods, fostering team development, and bridging the gaps between siloed departments. It delved deeper into the realm of self-management, exploring advanced techniques designed to enhance collaboration, innovation, and unity. Guided by BEMi's expertise, Company X embraced this journey of continuous growth and evolution, laying the foundation for a future defined by limitless possibilities and untapped potential.
Please feel free to contact us!
At BEMi, we provide training to build teams that can speak up with confidence. We tailor our programs to offer the best solutions for each company. Please feel free to contact us to get started!