Assertiveness is a direct, honest, and respectful way of behaving and interacting with others.  It is seen as one of the most desirable forms of human behavior, as it leads to honest and healthy relationships.  As a legal secretary, the ability to be assertive will help you greatly in your career to communicate effectively with your colleagues and boss.

There are generally three types of human behavior:  non-assertive, aggressive, and assertive.

Non-assertive behavior is submissive and indirect.  It can give a message of inferiority by allowing the wants and needs of others to be more important than our own.  A person behaving non-assertively will lose while allowing others to win.

Read full article here.