How to Be More Aggressive

Although mild assertiveness is all that's necessary in most situations, at times you need to be more aggressive. You may find yourself in a situation with a bully that wants to push you around. If you're not aggressive, you'll likely get bullied relentlessly. Read on to learn how to be more aggressive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look the person in the eye. Passive people have a tendency to look away or down when they feel intimidated. Never show your intimidation by always looking a person in the eye when speaking.

2. Tell the person what you want in a clear and strong voice. Use a lot of "I" statements when expressing your desires. Speaking in this manner shows the person that they shouldn't expect you to back down.

3. Let them speak. Give a person a chance to talk, but say "No" in a definitive manner, if you don't agree with what they are saying. Aggressively make your case and let them know you're not budging.

4. Watch your tone. You want to speak in a forceful manner, but don't resort to yelling. Screaming and shouting indicates weakness, since it shows that you're not in control of your emotions.

Tips & Warnings

• In the sports world, you definitely want to show your aggressive side. This tactic can intimidate other players and help you win the game.
• You don't need to get physical to be aggressive. You can use just your words and still display signs of aggressiveness.
• Don't threaten a person. This crosses the line and you may end up in a physical altercation.