How do you become more assertive/more dominant in conversation/etc?
Hello Luke!
I'm not sure I completely understand the motivation behind that question, but I'll take a stab. I don't know about your W, but in casual conversation, I appreciate a good listener as much as someone who speaks their mind in a assertive manner. It's not a quality to be ashamed of, everyone likes a good listener. Just being willing to listen to somebody and show interest makes a big impression on them. If you suffer from withdrawal, shyness, or apathy, then it's your self-esteem you need to address and not so much your communications skills.
The reason most of us are on this board is because at the core of our problems, there is a breakdown in communication with our partner. I would be the first to admit the need to improve in this area. Maybe if I had been more skillful in this area, my marriage wouldn't be on the brink. A good book I've read on interpersonal skills is Dale Carnegie's how to win friends and influence people. Read it if you get an opportunity. Good communication skills are beneficial in all aspects of our lives. It should be something all of us strive to improve on a continual basis.
"It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare." -Mark Twain
