Assertiveness and setting boundaries

Say what you need clearly and respectfully, say no when needed and handle pushback calmly.

Many people either stay quiet or push too hard. This programme teaches a middle way: stating needs and views clearly while respecting others. Participants practise real situations from their work, such as refusing extra work or disagreeing with a senior colleague.

Who it is for: Staff and managers who find it hard to say no, push back or ask for what they need.

What it covers: Passive, aggressive and assertive styles; Saying no without guilt; Making clear requests; Handling pushback.

Communication styles: Passive, aggressive and assertive, Your default style, Cultural expectations at work.

Saying no: Why saying no feels hard, Respectful refusal, Offering alternatives.

Clear requests and views: Stating needs simply, Disagreeing respectfully, Speaking up with seniors.

Handling pushback: Staying calm, The broken record technique, Difficult people.

Outcomes: Participants express their views and needs clearly and calmly, without aggression.; They set healthier boundaries around workload, time and requests.; People-pleasing and over-commitment reduce, so they can focus on their priorities..

What it covers

• Passive, aggressive and assertive styles
• Saying no without guilt
• Making clear requests
• Handling pushback

Outcomes

• Participants express their views and needs clearly and calmly, without aggression.
• They set healthier boundaries around workload, time and requests.
• People-pleasing and over-commitment reduce, so they can focus on their priorities.

How it works

• Needs assessment: Before the programme, we hold a needs assessment call with you. You can also opt for an in-depth assessment of needs and starting points.
• Tailored workshop delivery: We design the workshop around those results, using cases and examples from your sector. Sessions use modern, activity-based methods developed by our international learning and development specialists and subject-matter experts.
• Follow-up and report: After the workshop, we send a report covering participation, learning and recommended next steps. When your team is ready, we can design a Level 2 programme that builds on the first.

Questions

• Which language is the training delivered in? Our trainers are multilingual and can deliver the training in English, Urdu or a mix of both. We also offer customised sessions in most other languages. Let us know your team’s preference and we will build your workshop around it.
• What do participants need to prepare? Nothing formal. We may send a short questionnaire beforehand, and participants should bring real examples from their work.
• How do you measure results? We combine evidence-based assessment, structured feedback and expert evaluation. Depending on the programme, this includes pre-training needs and knowledge assessments, learning checks during the workshop, post-training evaluations, participant feedback and trainer observations. Longer programmes can add manager feedback and follow-up assessments.

• Enquire about this training
• Human Performance Improvement programmes

Contact OPDEV UAE · ask@opdev.ae · United Arab Emirates (WhatsApp +44 7440 585456)