Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya

School of social science

Indore, m.p.
ASSIGNMENT OF M.B.A.(1ST SEM)
(2021-22)

Student Name - Jay Banjara

Enrollment no. - DX2100065
Roll No. - 2123407
Class - M.B.A. {Public Administration & policy (1st Sem) }
Subject - Social Communication Skills & Personality Development
Topic - ATTITUDE BUILDING & Assertiveness
Submitted to –
Capt. Jasen
Thomas
Attitude
The term “attitude” frequently used in
describing people and explaining their
behavior. For example: “He has a poor
attitude”. “I like her attitude’.

More precisely,
an attitude can be defined as a persistent
tendency to feel and behave in a
particular way toward some object. For
example George does not like working in
the night shift. This shows that he has a
negative attitude toward his work
assignment.
Attitudes can be broken down into 3 basic
components

• Emotional
• Informational
• Behavioral
EMOTIONAL COMPONENT
The emotional component includes the person’s
feelings or effects about an object, i.e. positive or
negative.

Positive Attitudes: When an attitude towards

a situation or subject is positive, then the person
tends to be receptive and makes an effort to
understand.
Negative Attitudes: In these types of attitude
the person develops barriers and filters, accept
data and ideas selectively. The person rejects,
ignores, minimizes some things and exaggerates
others, and criticizes destructively. This is
because of previously accepted ideas with which
the new ideas are incompatible.
INFORMATIONAL COMPONENT
It consists of beliefs and information
the individual has about the object. It
makes no difference whether or not this
information is empirically real or
correct.

For example = a supervisor may believe that two weeks

of training is necessary before a worker can operate
particular equipment. In reality, the average worker 44
may be able to operate the machine successfully after
only four days of training. Yet the information the
superior is using (that two weeks are necessary) is the
key to his attitude about his training.
BEHAVIORAL COMPONENT
It consists of a person’s tendency to
behave in a particular way toward an
object. For example: the supervisor
in the above paragraph may assign
two weeks of machine training to all
his new employees. It is important to
note that out of the three
components of attitudes; only the
behavioral component can be directly
observed. One cannot see another
person’s feelings and informational
component.
ATTITUDE FORMATION
Attitudes are the results of beliefs. If employee
believes that the current job will provide them
with experience and training necessary to be
promoted, the resulting job attitude will be
positive. As a result the employee will want to
stay with the organization (behavioral
component) and will be as productive as possible
(actual behavior).
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE OUR ATTITUDE
• Environment
• Experiences
• Education
Environment
This consists of home, school then the work place which creates a culture for
us. Parents who respect each other and create healthy atmosphere, leads to
the upbringing of children with a healthy mind and a positive attitude towards
life. Media, traditions and social environment also influence a person’s outlook
onlife.

Experiences
Events in life determine individual’s behavior changes. Positive experiences
with an individual make our attitude positive towards him. Failures in life make
us shy and introvert.

Education
True education teaches us not only how to make a living but also how to live.
Both formal as well as informal education has an impact on the individual. It
opens to us the doors of positive living. What the person is inclined to do
towards the object.
Types of Attitude
Positive attitude
Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with
the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your
life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and
negative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it
will bring constructive changes into your life, and
makes them happier, brighter and more
successful. With a positive attitude you see the
bright side of life, become optimistic and expect
the best to happen. It is certainly a state of mind
that is well worth developing and strengthening.
Positive attitude manifests in the following ways

• Constructive • Expecting
• Positive thinking. • Creative thinking.
thinking. success.

• Motivation to
• Choosing
• Optimism. accomplish your • Being inspired.
happiness.
goals.

• Looking at failure
• Believing in • Displaying self-
andproblems as
• Not giving up. yourself and in esteemand
blessings in
your abilities. confidence.
disguise.

• Looking for • Seeing

solutions. opportunities
NEGATIVE ATTITUDE
In these types of attitude the person develops barriers and filters, accept
data and ideas selectively. The person rejects, ignores, minimizes some
things and exaggerates others and criticizes destructively. This is
because of previously accepted ideas with which the new ideas are
incompatible. The negative world of our imagination creates a negative
world that is real and one that we are forced to live in. A negative
attitude is self-defeating. We won’t find solutions to life’s problems by
looking for someone or something to blame. . The constant stress that
flows from a negative attitude also saps one’s energy, focus, and
motivation. It is hardly a formula for success. Also of great concern is
the fact that those who refuse to work on improving their negative
attitude may slide into depression, self-pity, and hopelessness.
Additionally, negative people not only harm themselves; they harm the
world. They cease to make a contribution to it. Instead of helping, they
spread gloom and misery everywhere.

NEUTRAL ATTITUDE
It tends to be indifferent and though it accepts and rejects according to
whether the things are compatible or consistent with each other.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ATTITUDES
A negative attitude is the type of attitude in which the person develops barriers and filter, accepts data and orders
selectively. The negative attitudes against some idea may lead to a positive attitude this may lead to the invention
and fantasy. Our life is an obstacle course and we become our own biggest obstacle by having a negative attitude.
People with a negative attitude have a hard time keeping friendships, jobs marriage, and relationships.
Their attitude leads to

1. Bitterness

2. Resentment

3. A purposeless life

4. Ill health
• High-stress levels for themselves and others
They create a negative environment at home and work and become a liability to society. They also pass their
negative behavior to others around them and to future generations.
When we became aware of negative attitudes why don’t we change?
Human nature generally resists change. Change is uncomfortable. Regardless of its positive or negative effects
change can be stressful. Sometimes we get so comfortable with our negativity that even when the change is for
the positive we don’t want to accept it we stay with the negative.
Charles Dickens wrote about a prisoner who stayed for many years in a dungeon. After serving his sentence, he
got his freedom. He was brought out from his cell into the bright daylight of the open-world this man looked all
around and after a few minutes was so uncomfortable with his newly acquired freedom that he asked to brought
back to his cell into confinement. To him the dungeon, the chains and the darkness were more secured and
comfortable than accepting the change of freedom and the open world.
STEPS FOR BUILDING POSITIVE
ATTITUDE
Step1
Change focus – look for the positive - Most people find what they are looking for. If they are
looking for friendship, happiness and the positive, that is what they get. If they are looking
for fights or indifference, then that is what they get.
Step 2
Make a habit of doing it now - Life is not a dress rehearsal. I don't care what philosophy you
believe in-- we have got only one shot at this game called life. The stakes are too high. The
stakes are the future generations.
Step 3
Develop an attitude of gratitude - Count your blessings, not your troubles
Step 4
Get into a continuous education program - Spend so much time improving yourself that you
have no time left to criticize others.
Step 5
Build a positive self-esteem - If you want to build positive self-esteem quickly, one
of the fastest ways is to do something for others who cannot repay you in cash or
kind.
Step 6
Stay away from negative influences - A person’s character is not only judged by the
company he keeps, but also by the company he avoids.
Step 7
Learn to like the things that need to be done - Start by doing what is necessary, then
what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. --St. Francis of Assisi
Step 8
Start your day with a positive - "If you are going to change your life, you need to
start immediately and do it flamboyantly."
STEPS FOR MAINTAINING POSITIVE
ATTITUDE
Our attitude is a result of deliberate action. We choose the ways we respond to difficulties in our
lives. That’s not to say that some situations are going to be more difficult than others, but there are
steps we can take to help maintain a positive attitude.
1. Know what is important We often expend emotional energy on things that, if we
stopped and thought about them, are not all that important to us. Take time to clarify
your personal beliefs and mission. Then, stop worrying about those things that are
not important in the overall scheme of your life.
2. Look after your physical wellbeing Exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep can
all contribute to a good attitude. If you feel good physically, it’s easier to reflect a
positive attitude. Even something as simple as a haircut or a new outfit can give a
mental boost and help you feel confident.
3. Give it away Possibly the best way to build and maintain a good attitude is by
sharing with others. I don’t know how many times, at the end of a tough work day,
doing something with or for others has boosted my attitude. Whether choirs practice,
visiting someone in hospital or having coffee with friends, time spent with others can
have a positive impact on my state of mind.
4. Get rid of the unnecessary It seems the more complex our lives become, the more
ways we have to worry about things going wrong. I’ve known people who become so
caught up in their possessions that they never seem to enjoy what they have. Or, those
who spend so much time trying to keep up with the neighbours, that they get no pleasure
from what they already have. Simplify your life and you’ll find your attitude improving.
5. Look at the funny side Humour and attitude are closely related. People with good
attitudes tend to have a good sense of humour. Instead of focusing on the loss in a
robbery, someone with a good sense of humour phones her husband and says, “ We
finally got rid of that ugly lamp your Aunt gave us as a wedding gift!”
6. Play to your strengths We all have things that make us feel good. Make regular time
for those things. It might be listening to music, reading a book, talking a bath, or going
for a walk. Whatever boosts your attitude, make it a part of your routine.
7. Build your buffers There are going to be times when things happen that are beyond
our own ability to manage. Rather than allowing them to pull us down, turn to outside
sources for support. Talking to friends, meeting with a counsellor or a minister,
meditation and prayer can all help us through difficult times. Build an external support
system
Assertiveness
Assertiveness is a trait taught by many personal development experts and
psychotherapists. It is linked to self-esteem and considered an important
communication skill. Trait is a characteristic or property of some entity. An
assertive style of behavior is to interact with people while standing up for your
rights. Being assertive is to one's benefit most of the time but it does not mean that
one always gets what he/she wants.
The result of being assertive is that
1) you feel good about yourself
2) other people know how to deal with you and there is nothing vague about
dealing with you.

What is Assertiveness?
Assertiveness is the ability to express yourself and your rights without
violating the rights of others. It is appropriately direct, open, and honest
communication which is self-enhancing and expressive. Acting assertively
will allow you to feel self-confident and will generally gain you the respect
of your peers and friends. It can increase your chances for honest
relationships, and help you to feel better about yourself and your self-
control in everyday situations. This, in turn, will improve your decision-
making ability and possibly your chances of getting what you really want
from life.
“Assertiveness basically means the ability to express your thoughts and feelings in a way that
clearly states your needs and keeps the lines of communication open with the other”. However,
before you can comfortably express your needs, you must believe you have a legitimate right
to have those needs. Keep in mind that you have the following rights:

 • The right to decide how to lead your life. This includes pursuing your own goals and dreams and establishing your own priorities.
 • The right to your own values, beliefs, opinions, and emotions — and the right to respect yourself for them, no matter the opinion
of others.
 • The right not to justify or explain your actions or feelings toothers.
 • The right to tell others how you wish to be treated.
 • The right to express yourself and to say “No,” “I don’t know,” “I don’t understand,” or even “I don’t care.” You have the right to
take the time you need to formulate your ideas before expressing them.
 • The right to ask for information or help — without having negative feelings about yourneeds.
 • The right to change your mind, to make mistakes, and to sometimes act illogically — with full understanding and acceptance of
the consequences.
 • The right to like yourself even though you’re not perfect, and to sometimes do less than you are capable of doing.
 • The right to have positive, satisfying relationships within which you feel comfortable and free to express yourself honestly — and
the right to change or end relationships if they don’t meet your needs.
 • The right to change, enhance, or develop your life in any way you determine.
ASSERTIVE PEOPLE
Assertive people have the following characteristics:
• They feel free to express their feelings, thoughts, and desires.
• They know their rights.
• They have control over their anger. It does not mean that they repress this
feeling. It means that they control it for a moment and then talk about it later
in a logicalway.

Example: Gandhi's struggle for India's independence, along with the communication
strategy and actions he used for this, are a good example of assertiveness. He used a people
movement which he called "Satyagraha" which used non violent means to achieve his
objective. He kept communicating the Indians' right to rule themselves to the British,
irrespective of what the British thought about Indians. Gandhi was sent to jail several times
and in many cases was asked to pay a fine for opposing British rule. He never agreed to
fine, saying that he had the right to say what he thinks is correct. After several decades of
this struggle, India became independent.
Specific Techniques for Assertiveness
• Be as specific and clear as possible about what you want, think, and feel.
The following statements project this preciseness:
 “I want to…”

 “I don’t want you to…”

 “Would you…?”

 “I liked it when you did that.”

 “I have a different opinion, I think that…”

 “I have mixed reactions. I agree with these aspects for these reasons, but I am disturbed about these aspects for these reasons.”

It can be helpful to explain exactly what you mean and exactly what you don’t mean, such as “I don’t want to break up over
this, but I’d like to talk it through and see if we can prevent it from happening again.

Be direct. Deliver your message to the person for whom it is intended. If you want to tell Jane something, tell Jane; do not tell
everyone except Jane; do not tell a group, of which Jane happens to be a member.

• “Own” your message. Acknowledge that your message comes from your frame of reference, your conception of good vs.
bad or right vs. wrong, your perceptions. You can acknowledge ownership with personalized (”I”) statements such as “I
don’t agree with you” (as compared to “You’re wrong”) or “I’d like you to mow the lawn” (as compared to “You really
should mow the lawn, you know”). Suggesting that someone is wrong or bad and should change for his or her own benefit
when, in fact, it would please you will only foster resentment and resistance rather than understanding and cooperation.

• Ask for feedback. “Am I being clear? How do you see this situation? What do you want to do?” Asking for feedback can
encourage others to correct any misperceptions you may have as well as help others realize that you are expressing an
opinion, feeling, or desire rather than a demand. Encourage others to be clear, direct, and specific in their feedback to you.
Assertion strategies
1. Make known your desires and feelings. Don't be side
tracked by others. Make a short, clear, assertive
statement of your goal, taking into account what others
are saying by persistently repeating your goal: Yes I
understand [other's response] but I still want [state your
goal].
2. Express feelings about a situation without threatening
others:
• Identify the situation: When you put me down
• Identify how you feel about it: I feel angry
• Identify what you want: When you put me down, I feel angry. I want you to
know that and to stop putting me down.

3. Make a nonassertive person open up. The topic should

be pursued in a gentle, probing manner: “I don't understand
why you are so up tight.”
Body language as related to assertive behavior
1. Eye contact and facial expression: Maintain
direct eye contact; appear interested and alert,
but not angry.
2. Posture: Stand or sit erect, possibly leaning
forward slightly.
3. Distance and contact: Stand or sit at a normal
conversational distance from the other.
4. Gestures: Use relaxed, conversational gestures.
5. Voice: Use a factual, not emotional tone of voice.
Sound determined and full of conviction, but not
overbearing.
6. Timing: Choose a time when both parties are
relaxed. A neutral site is best
Time management is commonly defined as the various means by which people effectively
use their time and other closely related resources in order to make the most out of it.
Benefits of Time Management : The main benefit of effective time management is that it can drastically improve
the quality of your life. Let's look at a few common problems that can be solved with effective time management.
• Reduce frustration and Anxiety
Many of the frustrating situations can be avoided with effective planning and organizing techniques. When you have overcome frustration, it
is a lot easier to release the full power of your creativity and productivity.
• Get a sense of achievement and piece of mind
Much of dissatisfaction and anxiety comes from that you are not sure where you are going, or you feel like you are going nowhere. Effective
time management includes smart goal setting techniques, which will help you to realize where you are going and to see the optimal path
there.
• Open yourself to more satisfaction
We are often burdened by subconscious guilt for those undone things we think we should be doing or should have done. With effective time
management you learn to overcome procrastination and you learn to prioritize. This will keep you feeling that you did most of the important
things you possibly could do. That makes you more confident and decisive in your choices, leaving lessspace for guilt or unsatisfaction.
• Increase your energy level
The undone things circulating in your mind cost you much more time and energy than the things you have done or are doing. With effective
time management you get organized and unclutter your mind from those energy drains of unhandled things and "unfinished businesses". You
will experience much higher energy level.
• Get more of quality time
There are many things that don't get you much forward, but you still have to do them to survive. Take eating for example. Those maintenance
tasks are a significant part of your total time spendings. Learn how to organize them more efficiently and you will get more time for making
progress or enjoying life.
Keys to Successful Time Management
• Self knowledge and goals: In order to manage your
time successfully, having an awareness of what your goals
are will assist you in prioritizing your activities.
• Developing and maintaining a personal,
flexible schedule: Time management provides you with
the opportunity to create a schedule that works for you, not
for others. This personal attention gives you the flexibility
to include the things that are most important to you.
From - Jay Banjara