Assertiveness and Self-Confidence for Administrative Professionals

So what if you don't speak up at work. It's the quality of your work that counts, right? Well, not exactly. If you're quiet or even timid at work read why it could pay for you to work on your assertiveness and self-confidence.

EXPERT Q&A FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS

QUESTION: I’m good at my actual work as an administrative professional, but I think that I’m less assertive than my admin peers at work. Perhaps you could even describe me as timid at times when it comes to speaking up at staff meetings or communicating verbally in-depth with my managers. I’m starting to wonder if this is affecting my chances at salary increases and promotions in a negative way. Do you think that being and appearing more assertive and self-confident at work gives administrative professionals an edge over their peers who are not so when it comes to career advancement and salary increases?

ANSWER (by Joan Burge, founder and CEO of Office Dynamics):

The answer is yes. Self-confidence has everything to do with your ability to advance, and most certainly affects things like promotions and salary increases.

That said, all is not lost if you’re not an “outgoing” person. Many people in the world who once thought themselves shy have advanced in ways they never thought possible. To name a few: Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Tom Hanks and Lucille Ball. Imagine that!

Gaining self-confidence takes a small shift in the way you view yourself and interact with the world. Let me explain:You have just read an article excerpt from The Effective Admin newsletter archives. This complete article is available in The Effective Admin paid newsletter archives that are included in membership at http://www.TheVAAP.com.