THE ASSERTIVE LIBRARIAN by Caputo, Janette S. Oryx Press, 1984.
PREFACE (pix-x)
ASSUMPTIONS:
[1] Assertiveness training is based on the theory that your behavioral responses are learned rather than instinctual! In other words, you have control over
the responses you wish to learn, unlearn, and select for use!
[2] Assertiveness training's most distinctive characteristic is its practicality! The models of behavior
that are defined as "ASSERTIVE" are part of a wide-range of alternative behaviors available
to every professional librarian as a matter of choice! They are adaptable and adoptable as they fit
each librarian's unique personal value system, philosophy and style!
[3] Assertive techniques are specific, definable, understandable and workable!
[4] The assertiveness techniques are not intended to justify a "standard package"of
presumably assertive "bureaucratic tricks" that can be used in a manipulative fashion
without regard for the long-term interpersonal (organizational) effects that they may produce.
This book was written to be as practical as possible since it presents assertive techniques
as a repertoire of possible alternative behaviors which a librarian can select based
upon the professional perceived needs of each individual situation, time and place.
[5] Finally, no single style of behavior can be effective for all times, in all places, for all people!
Assertiveness is assumed to be a "continuum of behaviors" of varying stengths
and designs, which can be employed in a variety of library situations.
1) INTRODUCTION (p1-19)
[1] The assertive choice
[2] The library stereotype
(1) The concept of stereotypes as both a consequence and a predictor of behavior has been part of the social sciences literature since 1922. More recently stereotype has been defined as a classification that allows attribution of assumed characteristics of a group of people to single members of that group. The validity of the assumed characteristics is unimportant --- since people react to the stereotype of the group, not to the individual her/himself. (p13)
(2) When librarians themselves have difficulty defining librarianship (as truly a profession or merely an occupation), it is a rather safe assumption that the prestige dimension of the library "profession" in comparison with others is relatively low. Since the historical age of an occupation has been shown to be a determinant in the development of stereotype, so that well-established, familiar occupations (such as that of librarian) are defined much more sharply as stereotypes, with far more resistance to change, than newer, comparatively unfamiliar occupations. (p14)
(3) Also, the strength of a stereotype may act on the members of the occupation as well as on those outside it, in that it forces certain attributes on them as societal "expectations!" (p14)
[2] The Assertive Risk
[3] Summary --- Assertion is learned behavior that can help you resolve
conflicts. It is based on a realistic analysis of situations and a variety of
alternatives. It is a matter of choice in every situation and is defined as
standing up for your rights without violating the rights of other people.
Assertive behaviors can be useful to librarians in daily professional practice
and in dealing with the problems generated by socially imposed stereotypical
expectations!
Assertion is part of a circular continuum of behaviors that includes nonassertion
(passivity), aggression and passive-aggression. Assertive behavior though risky
has benefits since it increases a librarians's sense of self-esteem for having
taken positive, realistic action in an appropriate and considerate manner. Also,
assertion may bring a wide variety of positive resolutions to conflicts.
Since assertive behaviors are learned behaviors, librarians can build a wide range
of possible behavior choices by simple practice, assessment and adaptation. (p19)
2) YOUR ASSERTIVE RIGHTS (p20-32)
[1] The importance of personal rights
Everyone has the right to decide his or her own values and lifestyle as long
as they don't violate the rights of others. Additionally, this means you have the
right to be yourself and feel good (not guilty) about yourself so long as you don't
damage others in the process!
In short, you have the right to dignity and self-respect
defined by the following ten basic rights:
(1) The right to be treated with respect.
(2) The right to say no without feeling guilty.
(3) The right to experience and express feelings.
(4) The right to take time to think.
(5) The right to change your mind.
(6) The right to ask for what you want.
(7) The right to do less than you are humanly capable of doing.
(8) The right to ask for information.
(9) The right to make mistakes.
(10) The right to feel good about yourself.
These rights can be summed up as containing the idea of
"self-responsibility for the consequences of your choices and behaviors!
[2] Rights and responsibilities
[3] Rights in the library environment --- LIBRARIAN'S RIGHTS
[4] Summary
3) SETTING ASSERTIVE GOALS (p33-57)
[1] How "assertive" are you now?
[2] How comfortable are you?
[3] The "goal process"
[4] "Blocks" to assertion
[5] Summary
4) SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE (p58-72)
[1] Self-esteem, self-confidence and assertiveness
[2] Measuring self-esteem
[3] Boosting your self-esteem!
[4] Summary
5) VERBAL ASSERTION (p73-119)
[1] Key elements
[2] Types of "assertive statements"
[3] Tags, hedges, and compound verbs
[4] Saying "NO" and setting limits!
[5] "Active listening"
[5] Techniques and tricks
[5] Summary
6) NONVERBAL ASSERTION (p120-141)
[1] Your expressive face
[2] Your expressive hands
[3] Your expressive stance
[4] Your expressive voice
[5] Your expressive look
[6] Summary
7) OUR IRRATIONAL BELIEFS (p142-157)
[1] The A-B-C Model or theory of behavior of Albert Ellis asserts that self-defeating
and maladaptive behaviors and emotions stem from irrational beliefs. The irrational ideas are
distorted, highly idealized, and perfectionistic, and they stimulate people to strive for impossible goals.
These goals ensure failure since they are impossible to achieve and then encourage "emotional overreactions" to such "failures." Ellis recommends "cognitive restructuring" --- a means of changing the internal reference system of irrational beliefs --- rather than changes in external forces to bring about appropriately assertive behaviors!
This restructuring is accomplished by the substitution of rational ideas and beliefs for irrational ideas and beliefs, which then leads to more favorable emotional and behavioral outcomes.
"A" refers to an activating event or situation
"B" refers to the thinking process we go through, an "inner dialogue" about ourselves and the event or situation.
"C" refers to the feelings and behaviors that we have and engage in when that event or situation occurs
[2] "A-B-C-D-E Model" was developed in 1973 by Ellis to extend his "A-B-C" Theory to include two more points:
"A" refers to the activating event or stimulation
"B" refers to the thinking process, the "inner dialogue" we hold about ourselves, the other person, and the event or situation.
"C" refers to the feelings and behaviors that we base on point "B"
"D" refers to the identification of the irrational beliefs that are affecting points "B" and "C"
"E" refers to the identification of rational ideas that can be substituted for the irrational ideas
[3] Summary --- Albert Ellis created the "A-B-C-D-E Theory" of behavior that best describes how librarians often base their own actions and choices on "irrational beliefs" that are self-defeating and maladaptive behaviors. Ten "Irrational Ideas" were analyzed in terms of the theory.
8) COPING (p158-196)
[1] Defense mechanisms and coping mechanisms
[2] Identifying stress
[3] Coping with specific emotions
[4] Your expressive voice
[5] Relaxation
[6] Summary
9) THE ASSERTIVE LIBRARY SUPERVISOR (p197-210)
[1] What is a library supervisor?
[2] Assertion and the supervisor's role
(1) Staff conflict
(2) Subordinates' problems
(3) Motivation
(4) Terminations
(5) Praise and criticism
(6) Upward communication
[3] Summary
10) FINALE (p211-218)
[1] Practice and feedback
(1) 13 Step-model for building your own assertiveness skills:
(2) Effective external feedback --- it is an interactive process with at least one other person
(3) Effective internal feedback --- it is a part of your own thought processes
[2] Summary --- Assertiveness means feeling good about yourself, making your own decisions, and taking responsibility for your choices!
It is not difficult to learn assertive skills. However, it can be difficult to learn to implement them regularly.
It takes practice, perseverence, and objectivity --- and effective feedback!
Assertion is not aggression! It is direct, honest, appropriate expression of opinions, beliefs, needs, or feelings.
It is rational and based on objective, cognitive assessments of reality.
It is a way to survive in a difficult world as a healthier, happier, and more effective person --- and librarian!
Your responsibility --- as a librarian --- is to modify the skills and comments in this book to fit your own personal style in ways that will help you effectively stand up for your rights while protecting and maintaining the rights of others.
Your further responsibility is to use this book to build and maintain good interpersonal relationships and actively enhance your interpersonal communications!
APPENDIX (p219-226)
[1] Response key (p219)
Look for patterns --- two key questions:
Are most of your responses in a particular category?
Do your nonassertive responses and aggressive responses occur
randomly, or do they occur in similar type situations?
Since there is no overall total score for this inventory, you can use it only as an
indication of areas you might like to target for new behaviors or new choices,
not as a measure of your overall assertiveness!
[2] Librarian's assertiveness inventory (p219-225)
REFERENCE LIST (p227-238)
INDEX (p239-242)
Return to Training Tool #3: Leadership Category Abstracts