English Health Train

Module 3 – Unit 3: Project Work

Think About It Is it sometimes difficult or risky to behave assertively? Do you think people can change how assertive they are?

Complete the questionnaire below about yourself. Then add up your total points and read the explanation of your score.

DO YOU THINK ASSERTIVELY?
Instructions: Read each statement and circle the number from 1 to 5 that best describes you. (1 means you NEVER feel this way, and 5 means you ALWAYS feel this way.)
NEVER ALWAYS
1. I believe my needs are as important as the needs of others.	1 2 3 4 5
2. I feel comfortable and confident speaking up in meetings and groups.	1 2 3 4 5
3. When people around me act in ways that bother or upset me, I tell them so without feeling bad or guilty.	1 2 3 4 5
4. I am ready to admit when I’ve made a mistake without feeling embarrassed.	1 2 3 4 5
5. I am able to express my opinions to my supervisor and others in authority.	1 2 3 4 5
6. When I don’t agree with the ideas of others in meetings or social situations, I express my own ideas without feeling nervous.	1 2 3 4 5
7. I can talk easily about my feelings – including feelings like anger, frustration, or disappointment.	1 2 3 4 5
8. When someone asks me to do something I really don’t want to do, I can say no to him or her without feeling guilty.	1 2 3 4 5
9. I can ask others to do things without feeling nervous or guilty.	1 2 3 4 5
10. When other people express beliefs that are very different from my own, I can respect them and not make them feel that they are wrong.	1 2 3 4 5
TOTAL SCORE

Adapted from: Leebov, W. 2003. Assertiveness Skills for Professionals in Health Care. New York: Authors Choice Press.

Your Score: Add up all the numbers you circled. The highest possible score is 50.

If your score is 40 or higher, your assertive style is already quite strong and you usually communicate assertively. You are probably confident in yourself and know what you want.
If your score is 30 to 39, you are somewhat assertive and use an assertive approach in many, but not all, situations.

If your score is 20 to 29, you have some knowledge about assertive behavior, but you are probably often non-assertive or aggressive in your response to situations.

If your score is 10 to 19, you have difficulty being assertive and may have low confidence in yourself. You may need a different way of looking at yourself and your relationships with other people.

Now answer the following questions.

Do you agree with your score? Does it correspond to how assertive you feel you are?

Are there changes you would like to make in your level of assertiveness at work?