Women Explore Assertive Communication at The NETWORK Workshop

On Wednesday 18 June 2025, Luxembourg-based international professional women's association The NETWORK held a workshop titled "Women Rising: Assertive Communication" at Amazon's headquarters in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

The event, attended by more than 80 people, aimed to equip women with the tools to communicate assertively, both at work and at home.

The NETWORK President Monika Ruseva opened the session by highlighting the importance of communication, a theme identified as a priority in a recent members' survey. She emphasised that assertive communication involves speaking clearly and respectfully, as well as finding and using one's voice with confidence. She also acknowledged the challenges of navigating difficult conversations, noting how assertiveness fosters clarity and care in such situations.

Monika Ruseva then introduced the workshop facilitators: Liz Parsons (Comfort Challenge Coaching) and Alexandra Neves (Mind Tree Coaching), both of whom are professional coaches specialised in helping women lead with strength and authenticity in their professional and personal lives.

Using the interactive Wooclap platform, the facilitators guided attendees through activities exploring barriers to assertive communication, such as fear of conflict, guilt over saying "no" and concerns (particularly among women) about being perceived as selfish or aggressive. They distinguished assertiveness from aggression: assertiveness is about clarity, not dominance. Liz Parsons and Alexandra Neves also emphasised the importance of setting healthy boundaries.

In small groups, attendees practised assertive language and rehearsed challenging conversations through real-life scenarios. Strategies included using "I" statements to take ownership and de-escalate tension, saying what one sees (stating observable facts) without judgement, interpretation or guessing, maintaining a calm tone and open body language, making requests that are clear and concise, and becoming more comfortable with discomfort.

The workshop also introduced the Fair Play Method, a system designed to promote fairness in household responsibilities by making invisible (emotional) labour visible. It encourages an equitable distribution of tasks through a gamified system of 100 task cards, helping participants redefine roles, share responsibilities and schedule regular household check-ins.

The session concluded with key takeaways from the facilitators. Liz Parsons stressed that assertive communication can be both direct and kind, supporting well-being and team success. Alexandra Neves reminded attendees that boundaries are essential for protecting one's personal space and identity, and that assertive communication applies across all areas of life.

A networking session followed, allowing participants to continue the discussion informally.