Nonassertively

In a manner that lacks confidence, decisiveness, or a strong declaration of one's needs, opinions, or rights. It involves expressing oneself in a hesitant, indirect, or passive way, often avoiding confrontation or direct disagreement. Individuals acting nonassertively may downplay their own feelings, defer to others' wishes, and struggle to set boundaries. This can lead to feelings of being unheard, undervalued, or taken advantage of, while simultaneously aiming to maintain social harmony and avoid potential conflict. The goal can sometimes be to not be seen as overbearing, or to preserve the relationship with others, leading to an inability to express desires.

Nonassertively meaning with examples

• Sarah, nonassertively, agreed to take on extra work at the office, even though she was already overloaded. She didn't want to seem uncooperative or cause any conflict with her boss, so she silently took on the extra workload. This decision, however, led to her feeling overwhelmed and resentful of her boss.
• He spoke nonassertively about his concerns regarding the project, using phrases like 'maybe' and 'perhaps' to avoid seeming too demanding or critical. The other members of the team barely listened and his suggestions, though important, were mostly ignored. He later felt unheard and unsupported by his team.
• When confronted with a price increase, she paid nonassertively, accepting the change without questioning or attempting to negotiate. She didn't want to make a fuss, even though she felt the new price was unreasonable and now she feels she was taken advantage of.
• During the meeting, she presented her ideas nonassertively, constantly apologizing for her suggestions and making them sound like tentative possibilities rather than firm proposals. As a result, her ideas weren't given the weight they deserved, and others took credit for them.
• They interacted nonassertively with the street performers, dropping a small amount of coins without making eye contact or acknowledging their performance. They wanted to avoid an unwanted interaction that they found daunting. This passive way of giving made the performers feel unappreciated and almost insulted.