Hi John,

Can introverts be assertive? How would you define assertive communication, and what advice would you give someone wanting to become more assertive?

Share your perspective (assertively!) in the comments section of today’s article.
How Introverts Can Become More Assertive
by Ryan Trimble

As an introvert, I aim to keep my communication simple, clear, and to the point. I typically speak up only when it feels necessary, which I view as a form of assertiveness. However, others often perceive me as someone who stays quiet or avoids conflict, leading to an impression of me as “nice” rather than “assertive and kind.” How can I build true assertiveness and shift this perception without compromising my natural communication style?

Signed,
Introverted

You say you see yourself as assertive, but that others see you as “nice.” Are you intuiting what others think, or have you received direct feedback?

If you believe you’re assertive but have decided you should change because you sense others expect something different of you, you’ve hit upon the essence of your question.
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