Assertive (vs. Aggressive) Communication For Women

Please Register at: https://business.wbcutah.org/events/details/assertive-vs-aggressive-communication-for-women-744

Women are often told they need to be more ?assertive?, but are often accused of being ?aggressive? or ?abrasive? when they take a strong stance. Assertiveness is often misunderstood, or judged differently with regard to gender and culture, sometimes creating challenges for leaders who have a more facilitative style.
In this session, we will explore concepts of assertive communication, and learn some frameworks for communicating with clarity, strength and respect for more effective outcomes and influence.

We will also examine the relationships between assertiveness, authenticity and confidence, and learn specific techniques and approaches in verbal and non verbal communication for delivering clear, effective messages that have impact.
Participants walk away with insights on how/why women are often judged differently from men in their communication styles, as well as specific techniques that will increase their ability and confidence to influence through powerful, authentic communication.

Meet Our Speakers! 


Merrilee Buchanan 
Principal Consultant 

Merrilee believes that the challenges of businesses, governments, and communities ahead will require new and different styles of leadership and thinking. Instead of asking only, ?What does this person need to become a better leader?? we must ask, ?What about this person makes her/him a better leader??

Chocolate Villa women?s leadership and career development programs have taken Merrilee and her team all over the world in just a few short years, delivering programs for women in the U.S., Canada, Europe, China, Thailand, and South Africa. Working with women from different cultures and backgrounds, she recognizes that we all share similar challenges, and find strength in joining a broader community of women to share our successes in breaking down barriers and confronting norms that no longer serve our businesses or our economies.

With a dual background in organizational development and behavioral health, Merrilee brings years of experience and perspective to Villa Leadership to help companies open the next chapter to their success. She has worked with large and small companies from a wide range of industries, designing and delivering leadership development programs that have real impact in both the lives of individuals and bottom-line results for business. She believes that when people clarify their personal and professional visions and take charge of their own career and life paths, they are happier, more productive, and successful contributors to the organizations for which they work.  

Meagan Nielsen 
Business Manager 

Meagan is, indeed, a modern student of business management. She combines her ?I?ll figure it out? drive with formal learning and application to find the most efficient and effective technologies to move our messages and keep our internal wheels turning. She is the quintessential support team rolled into a one-woman package, and has been the mainline backup for Merrilee?s quirky style for a half dozen years through a winding journey of business ventures (the only questionable part of her character).

Her love for homeless animals reflects her truly accepting, non-judgmental and helpful nature, so if you have a question or just want to hear her infectious laughter, give Meagan a call. She can help. 


Parking Instructions:
If you are driving, park in the west side of the parking lot on the corner with 400 South and State Street. When you arrive, proceed to the left/west (monthly and validated parking) area and take a ticket and pass through the yellow parking gate. We will provide validations upstairs at the front desk.
Please do not enter on the right/east side and park in the two rows closest to the building or you will have to pay in advance and we will not be able to validate your parking.
Please note that we are not able to guarantee parking for everyone in our lot.
We encourage you to take Traxs and help keep our air clean. Please use the Library Square stop on the red line to arrive at the Salt Lake Chamber offices.