Don’t just stand there, say something!
Is a member of your team about to make a poor decision or act in a way that will impact your organization’s mission?
Don’t just stand there, say something! You must use assertive communication.
In military aviation, assertive communication is taught to combat against human error that can cause catastrophic effects. Assertive communication can interrupt the series of events leading up to an accident or mission failure.
Assertive communication is being willing and ready to actively state and maintain a position until convinced otherwise. It is being ready to listen and provide clear and concise information, instructions, and feedback in a respectful manner.
Countless aviation accidents and failures have been avoided because aircrew members used assertive communication to prevent or mitigate human errors. The same can be true for your team.
Your team should use assertive communication when:
- There is a safety or health concern.
- Team values are compromised.
- Team objectives are unclear.
- There is team conflict or disagreement, or when issues are not being acknowledged and addressed.
- Hazardous behaviors present themselves, such as anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, dominance, and resignation.
But it is easier said than done. Several barriers will stand in your team’s way of practicing assertive communication. For example,
- If you are less experienced or ‘at the bottom of the pecking order’, you may be less likely to speak up to your leaders and teammates.
- If you are more experienced or ‘out rank’ those on the team, you may be less likely to listen, acknowledge, and accept feedback.
- Cultural differences such as body language, manners, norms, and beliefs can also be barriers.
Invest time to discuss assertive communication with your team. Explain that it is a skill that can be used to interrupt a negative chain of events. Talk through specific situations (case studies) where assertive communication was, or should have been, applied. Openly acknowledge the barriers that exist on your team (rank, position, age, experience, etc.) Lastly, facilitate an environment where everyone knows they can speak up and where leadership supports team assertiveness.
