NCJ Number
59864
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 70-75
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN ASSERTIVE AND RESPONSIVE MANAGERIAL APPROACH IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS NECESSARY TO PRODUCE EFFECTIVE RESULTS THROUGH PEOPLE.
Abstract
THIS ARTICLE ON ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR STATES THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN EFFECTIVE NONASSERTIVE POLICE MANAGER. ONLY BY BEHAVING ASSERTIVELY CAN MANAGERS EXPRESS THEIR IDEAS, FEELINGS, GOALS, AND EXPECTATIONS STRAIGHTFORWARDLY AND WITHOUT ATTACKING OR DEMEANING OTHERS. THE ASSERTIVE INFLUENCE PATTERN IS EXPRESSIVE, CLEAR, FIRM, AND LETS OTHER PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU STAND WITHOUT ANY WAY DENYING THEIR CAPACITIES OR RIGHTS. AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR HAS SEVERAL ELEMENTS IN COMMON WITH ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR YET DIFFERS IN THAT IT ATTACKS OTHER PEOPLE, DENIES THEIR RIGHTS, AND IMPUGNS THEIR CAPACITIES AND RESOURCES. THUS THE AIM OF AGGRESSION IS TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE BY DOMINATING OR SUPPRESSING THEM. IT IS COMBINATIONS OF ASSERTIVE AND RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR THAT IS MOST EFFECTIVE IN DEALING WITH OTHERS. SOME EXAMPLES OF EACH MODE OF BEHAVIOR ARE GIVEN TO CLARIFY THE CONCEPT. THE ARTICLE STATES THAT AVOIDING INAPPROPRIATELY AGGRESSIVE OR NONASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR AND USING RESOURCES TO BECOME INCREASINGLY ASSERTIVE IS NECESSARY IN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT. SPECIFIC STEPS ARE OUTLINED TO DEVELOP ASSERTIVE AND RESPONSIVE SKILLS. AMONG THEM ARE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE AROUND YOU, BECOMING A BETTER LISTENER, MAKING COMMUNICATIONS MORE DIRECT, AND BEHAVING IN WAYS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND FEEL. (MJW)