Assertiveness and its analysis.

[ellion]

Assertiveness is an antidote to fear, shyness, passivity, and even anger, so there is an astonishingly wide range of situations in which this training is appropriate. Analysis of several assertiveness scales has suggested that several kinds of behaviour are involved:
To speak up, make requests,ask for favours and always insist that his rights should  be respected.
To overcome the fears and self-depreciation that keeps you from doing these things.
To express negative emotions and to refuse requests.
To show positive emotions and to give compliments. Accept compliments with "Thank you."
To ask why and question authority or tradition, not to rebel but to assume responsibility.
To initiate, carry on, change and terminate conversations comfortably.
To deal with minor irritations

[voodoo scientist]

Just thought I'd chip in to say that assertiveness is a pretty useful skill to have. I'm pretty much assertive all the time nowadays and it's working out pretty well.

[Karaten]

An assertive idiot tends to be chosen to lead over a humble genius.