Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills 58. Step into a Bigger Role Without Self Sabotage: How Amy TRIPLED Her Assertiveness in 13 Weeks, Built Influence & Mastered Difficult Personalities
Aug 6, 2025
Explore the transformative journey of Amy as she navigates a new, challenging role and tripled her assertiveness in just 13 weeks. Discover the clever 'popcorn strategy' she used to build rapport and manage difficult personalities. Amy shares her shift in energy management, including setting boundaries and maximizing her focus. Learn how effective communication transformed perceptions of her leadership while resolving tense interactions with a simple code word. This engaging discussion offers practical insights for anyone looking to thrive in high-pressure roles.
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New Role, Old Tools Falter
- Amy moved into a new administrative role at a major research university and immediately felt her old tools no longer worked.
- She experienced isolation, culture shift, and communication breakdowns that made her doubt herself.
Small Targets Create Big Ripples
- Amy's overall Strive Diagnostic score rose from 49% to 68% across 13 weeks, showing measurable change.
- Targeting one imbalanced pattern created ripples that improved multiple leadership skills.
Prioritize Energy Over Time
- Protect your energy by setting clear boundaries like no evening or weekend work and define emergency contact methods.
- Rearrange routines and commute to reclaim focused mornings and boost decision-making capacity.
