Many people struggle between the extremes of being too assertive and being a doormat for other people. They may find themselves wanting to assert themselves in situations such as having messages ignored by a friend, being given a task at work they fear might be too much for them to handle, or being asked a favor that seems extreme, but fearful of negative consequences of assertion. There is a middle road between being completely passive and overaggressive, however, that can be called “compassionate assertiveness” that may ease situations like the ones described. The first step to this approach requires calm.
Read the full article here: How to be Assertive While Keeping a Kind Heart