Summary:
Every day we interact with others – in the workplace, at home, in our communities.
This course is designed to help you learn skills that will help you develop an assertive style under pressure. You will also learn how to strike a balance between asserting/speaking to express your perspective and listening to understand the other person’s perspective.
Course content can be custom-designed to meet your timeline and needs from topics such as:
- Differentiation between assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive styles and an exploration of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Elements of assertive communication
- Striking a balance between asserting and listening
- Developing communication skills to assert yourself
- How to say no
- Improving your ability to listen and explore other people’s perspective
- Introduction to an assertion model – addressing problematic behaviour
Methods:
The learning environment includes instruction, exercises, small and large group discussions, and lots of hands-on practice. My goal is to help you develop your skills and sense of confidence.
*Note: I am also a certified personal coach with experience working with individuals on this topic. I can work with you one-on-one to learn and practice these skills in a confidential setting.
Pam has instructed in numerous classes for us for a wide variety of clients and learners. She is conscientious, caring and reliable, and has diverse experience and knowledge in the areas of conflict resolution, restorative justice and mediation education and training.
Kent Highnam
Program Director, Centre for Conflict Resolution / Centre for Leadership, Justice Institute of British ColumbiaPam Penner was exceptionally helpful to me when I was facing a transitional time in my career. She was able to assist me in isolating the issues I was facing and providing perspective that allowed me to move on. I would highly recommend her services.
M.V.
Pam worked with me to dig into what truly motivates me at work and how to deal with difficult client relationship issues. We also discussed how I could get more satisfaction in my free time. Since my meetings with her, I have produced a successful children’s tv show and have re-connected to my love of making art. Pam is patient and thoughtful and helps you to ask yourself the questions that will move you forward. By working with her and doing the homework she assigned, I feel I have a deeper understanding of how to be my best self.
B. Dawson
Pam is an extraordinary professional with a unique and gifted ability to connect personally with her clients. She has a devoted work ethic and a uniquely rare ability to assist people to identify and work through challenging human and work relationships. Her insights and recommendations have always been on target and resulted in improvements to both business and human performance.
John Appleton
Regional Vice President (National Accounts) Bee-Clean Building MaintenancePam is a great contributor to our Instructor team for the UBC Certificate in Project Management. As an expert in conflict resolution, leadership and communications, she has guided our project teams through challenging conflict scenarios and has inspired them all to see a different perspective in managing project teams.
Fiona McAuley
Senior Program Leader, UBC Continuing StudiesPam is an excellent instructor. She exudes a welcoming and down-to-earth approach as she coaches and instructs learners in conflict resolution and mediation skills. I highly recommend her as a mediator, instructor, and facilitator.
Leanne Harder
Skills Coach, Justice Institute of British ColumbiaI decided to try coaching to overcome a longstanding block I experienced with being successful at interviews. Pam put me at ease during our coaching sessions and skillfully helped me to believe in my ability to perform well at interviews and more importantly in many other areas of my life. Her coaching was a major contribution to my success in being offered the job of my dreams in a highly competitive process.
S.R.
Working with Pam helped me gain clarity and stay grounded during a period of change and uncertainty in my life.
Through exercises, reflections, and questions, Pam provided a framework that helped me assess where I was at, where I wanted to go, and what were the blockages in getting there. With a forward-looking approach, Pam helped me set goals and follow through on my commitments to myself. Pam helped me more clearly articulate my values and then assess my possible career paths in terms of how they aligned with what was important to me.
The work was still mine to do, but Pam was an indispensable guide in the process, keeping me on track and accountable, always in a supportive way. The exercises and tools I learned will help me long into the future.
