Practical Assertiveness for Designers
Get your voice heard through clarity and respectful communication.
I didn't get my voice heard for 3+ years of my career and I rarely blamed myself.
Ever felt like this?
There are many reasons why this happens, but today I want to focus on a pattern I had for too long.
For years, I was either too quiet or too loud—both of which made people ignore what I had to say.
It took me a while, but I learned that there's a healthy middle ground: being assertive.
Mastering Assertiveness in Design: Key Techniques
Through trail and error I found five techniques that boosted my assertiveness
The Common Misconception
Many believe assertiveness is about being authoritarian, but it's about clear and respectful communication. I’d describe it as walking on a tight-rope between passivity and aggression. One wrong step and you might fall in one of each.
To prevent this, I’ve listed the 5 practical steps that helped me the most in becoming assertive.
The 5 Techniques
"I" Statements: Express your thoughts without blaming others.
"You never listen to my ideas" → "I feel unheard when my ideas aren't considered in meetings."
Fogging: Stay calm when you get criticised.
When someone says "Your design is too simple" → "I see your point. I aimed for simplicity to make it easier for users"
Workable Compromise: Find a middle ground in disagreements.
If there's a disagreement on project direction, suggest, "Let's combine elements from both approaches to meet our goals." or suggest testing both ideas.
Real-Life Example
Using these techniques, I successfully navigated a complex features with multiple stakeholders.
Negotiating Project Scopes: In feature scope discussion, I used "I" statements to express my concerns about the workload, ensuring my voice was heard without causing conflict.
Setting Clear Boundaries: When my workload became overwhelming, I set clear boundaries by calmly stating my limits and proposing a realistic timeline, which was well-received by my team.
Advocating for Design Decisions: In a design review meeting, I used fogging to acknowledge feedback on my design while explaining the reasons behind my choices, leading to a productive discussion.
Preserving Creative Vision: While working on projects, I found a workable compromise between the demands of my cross-team peers and the creative vision of the team, ensuring both satisfaction and integrity of the design team in our company.
Gaining Stakeholder Buy-In: By listening and addressing stakeholders' concerns, I built trust and gained their support for design decision.
Boosting Team Morale: By using assertive, clear communication, I led team meetings that boosted morale and fostered a collaborative environment.
To conclude, developing your assertive voice takes time and practice. If you've ever felt like no one listens to you, remember that being assertive isn't about being the loudest; it's about speaking clearly and respectfully.
Using techniques like "I" statements, staying calm under criticism, and finding middle ground in disagreements only helps in being heard and respected. These strategies are helping me successfully navigate projects, set clear boundaries, and boost team morale.
As you move forward, try applying these tips to your own challenges. You'll find that your voice makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this journey. Keep speaking up and making an impact.
- Alexander