Last updated on Jul 10, 2024

Here's how you can balance assertiveness and collaboration as an executive manager.

Balancing assertiveness and collaboration as an executive manager is a nuanced dance that requires both strength and empathy. Assertiveness is about confidently asserting your views and decisions, while collaboration involves working jointly with others to achieve a common goal. Striking the right balance between these two can be challenging, but it's essential for effective leadership. You have to ensure that your team respects your decisions while feeling valued and heard. It's a skill that, once mastered, can lead to a more harmonious and productive workplace.

1 Define Roles

Defining roles within your team is crucial for balancing assertiveness and collaboration. By clearly outlining who is responsible for what, you eliminate confusion and set a foundation for accountability. This clarity allows you to assertively delegate tasks and make decisions while also respecting the expertise and autonomy of your team members. When each person understands their role, they can collaborate more effectively, knowing where their responsibilities begin and end.

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2 Listen Actively

Active listening is a powerful tool in an executive manager's arsenal. It involves fully concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. By actively listening to your team, you demonstrate respect for their ideas and encourage a collaborative environment. This approach not only fosters innovation and engagement but also allows you to assert your own perspective in a way that builds consensus rather than conflict.

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Fabio de Souza Lima

Diretor de Vendas e Marketplace @ Lenovo | Marketing | Digital | Vendas | Trade Marketing | Technologia | Varejo | Omnichannel | Inovação | Gestão | TOP VOICE
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Quando estiver em uma conversa 1:1 uma boa dica é levar um papel e ao escutar atentamente, tome nota de cada tópico. Ao final, mesmo que tenha certeza do entendimento, retome cada um deles e peça uma confirmação. Isso contribui de duas maneiras: 1.) A pessoa vai ter certeza do quanto atento você esteve durante a conversa 2.) Mesmo que acredite ter entendido você pode estar equivocado. Entenda como uma dupla checagem para ter certeza do seu entendimento.

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3 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is the bedrock of both assertiveness and collaboration. When you articulate your vision, goals, and expectations with precision, you leave little room for misunderstanding. This transparency allows you to be assertive without being overbearing, as your team knows exactly what is expected of them. Moreover, it invites collaboration, as team members feel informed and empowered to contribute meaningfully to discussions and projects.

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Claus Torp Jensen

C-Suite Transformation Leader | Board of Directors Chair & Candidate | 25+ Years Turning Vision to Action | Chief Digital Officer | Chief Technology Officer | Executive Advisor | Critical Thinker | Motivating Storyteller
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Keep in mind not only your communication style, but also what message you choose to send, what information you choose to share, and what topics you put on the table for open discussion. The best communication style in the world will not help you unless you are being thoughtful about 'content'. For example, as executives we have a unique perspective on the organization and on the business - and by choosing to communicate this 'directional what', yet at the same time leaving the playing field open to discuss *how* to accomplish goals and objectives, we are at the same time being assertive regarding direction, yet collaborative regarding execution.

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Fabio de Souza Lima

Diretor de Vendas e Marketplace @ Lenovo | Marketing | Digital | Vendas | Trade Marketing | Technologia | Varejo | Omnichannel | Inovação | Gestão | TOP VOICE
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Ao elaborar uma ideia, uma das técnicas que utilizo é numerar os tópicos e iniciar com Número 1 e então disserto sobre o tema. Número 2 e assim sigo o raciocínio. E vou elencando quantos forem necessários evitando que sejam muitos. Ao concluir o pensamento eu retorno para o primeiro e sigo fazendo perguntas para ter certeza que temos o mesmo entendimento.

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4 Empower Others

Empowering your team members is a delicate balance of assertiveness and collaboration. By giving them the authority to make decisions within their domain, you show trust in their abilities and encourage a collaborative spirit. However, it's also important to maintain an assertive stance on overarching goals and values to ensure alignment with the organization's vision. Empowerment, when done right, can lead to a more motivated and cohesive team.

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Fabio de Souza Lima

Diretor de Vendas e Marketplace @ Lenovo | Marketing | Digital | Vendas | Trade Marketing | Technologia | Varejo | Omnichannel | Inovação | Gestão | TOP VOICE
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Um líder que acredita na sua equipe precisa impor restrições a si mesmo para não interferir no trabalho da equipe. Na área de vendas por exemplo, caso o o líder identifique um forecast com pouca acuracidade, ao invés de corrigir, coloque o desafio para o membro do time. Ao convergirem para um único número, deixe claro que a responsabilidade passa a ser compartilhada, pois ambos acreditam naquele objetivo.

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5 Resolve Conflicts

Conflict resolution is a critical skill for any executive manager aiming to balance assertiveness with collaboration. When conflicts arise, addressing them promptly and fairly is important. You must assert your role as a leader to guide the resolution process while also encouraging collaborative problem-solving among the involved parties. This approach not only resolves issues more effectively but also strengthens team dynamics and trust.

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6 Adapt Flexibly

Finally, being able to adapt flexibly is key to maintaining the balance between assertiveness and collaboration. The business landscape is ever-changing, and so are team dynamics. You need to be assertive enough to steer the ship through rough waters but also collaborative enough to adjust sails when needed. Flexibility allows you to embrace new ideas and approaches from your team while confidently managing change.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Delia Chiricescu
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Another aspect to consider is the need to build consensus. Consensus building involves inclusively gathering input from stakeholders, actively listening to their viewpoints, and facilitating discussions to identify common ground. Encouraging compromise and emphasizing shared goals fosters trust and positive relationships. Transparency in decision-making and clear communication of roles for implementation are crucial. Managing disagreements constructively and seeking feedback after implementation refine future consensus-building efforts for effective decision-making.

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Anthony Gorman

Director at Wyman Bain
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Balancing assertiveness and collaboration as an executive manager is crucial for effective leadership. Here are some key strategies to achieve this: 1. Communicate Clearly and Confidently: Express expectations and decisions with clarity and confidence. 2. Encourage Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. 3. Set Clear Boundaries: Define roles, responsibilities, and boundaries clearly to avoid misunderstandings. 4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Give feedback that is specific, actionable, and focused on improvement. 5. Resolve Conflicts Promptly and Fairly: Address conflicts directly and impartially to prevent escalation.

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Here's how you can balance assertiveness and collaboration as an executive manager.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define Roles

2 Listen Actively

3 Communicate Clearly

4 Empower Others

5 Resolve Conflicts

6 Adapt Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Management

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Here's how you can balance assertiveness and collaboration as an executive manager.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define Roles

2 Listen Actively

3 Communicate Clearly

4 Empower Others

5 Resolve Conflicts

6 Adapt Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Management

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