Week 8 of 12
Communication, Active Listening & Assertiveness
Speaking and listening with clarity and care.
Participants practice active listening and assertive 'I' statements as an alternative to passive or aggressive communication.
Learning objectives
- Describe passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive styles.
- Practice active listening: attend, reflect, clarify, summarize.
- Use the 'I feel… when… because… I'd like…' format.
- Identify a conversation to practice assertiveness this week.
Teaching notes
- Assertiveness respects both self and others.
- Active listening is about understanding, not waiting to respond.
- Cultural norms differ in directness; adapt the format, keep the respect.
Examples & scenarios
The chore conversation
'You never help!' becomes 'I feel overwhelmed when the dishes pile up because I'm exhausted after work. I'd like us to make a plan together.'
Workplace overload
An employee says 'I want to do this well. With my current projects, I can take it on next week, or we can reprioritize.'
Listening to a spouse
Instead of solving, a husband says 'So you felt dismissed in that meeting — did I get that right?'
Weekly action step
Have one assertive conversation using an I-statement and practice reflective listening in two conversations.
Optional Scripture reflection
Offered for those who find faith meaningful; feel free to skip.
Ephesians 4:15
'Speaking the truth in love' — how do truth and love work together in assertiveness?
Proverbs 18:13
Answering before listening is called folly. Where do you rush to respond?