Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Pavel Schlossberg

Second Advisor

Dr. Heather Crandall

Abstract

This thesis is grounded in the Expectancy Violations Theory, developed over several years by Burgoon and Hale (1988). This study explores the ways in which professional women communicate and behave assertively in their organizations – sometimes in violation of social expectations that women should be meek and compliant rather than assertive. This study was devised to answer the following questions: In the continuum of assertive traits, which traits and practices do professional, self-described assertive women particularly value and strive for? What reasons do they provide? What moments in their lives do these women see as turning points when they began to learn about using assertiveness as a practice? The questions were explored in the context of two focus groups made up of a total of nine women in various organizations in a small Midwestern town. Participants in both groups value assertive traits that show support for others, as well as for their organization, including respect for the other, honesty, effective communication, and advocacy – some might say on the traditionally feminine side of the continuum of assertiveness. The women show a clear understanding of the difference between assertiveness and aggression, equating aggression with a focus on power and assertiveness as respectful and effective communication. Knowing that assertiveness is often more accepted in men than in women, the participants consciously choose when and how to behave assertively. Many have undergone profound transformational experiences, turning points, in which they pushed themselves to act assertively and even boldly when the circumstances required it. In the process, they discovered that assertiveness is an effective set of skills on which they can draw when the time is right.

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