IWTL how to be more assertive at work

I’ve always been a very soft, calm, and non-confrontational person. I grew up believing kindness and compassion matter the most, so I rarely get angry, don’t react strongly, and tend to let things go easily. Socially, this has worked really well for me I get along with people and don’t have conflicts.

But at work, it’s becoming a problem.

In client demos and conversations with my senior manager, I often feel like I’m not taken seriously. People sometimes say things that aren’t accurate (like claiming I didn’t respond to an email when I actually did, or getting timelines wrong), and I don’t push back in the moment I just let it slide.

Recently, my manager even told me directly that this “soft” attitude is not a good look professionally and that I need to sound more confident and commanding.

The thing is, I don’t want to become rude or aggressive. I just want to be respected and not be walked over.

I want to learn how to be assertive, how to push back professionally when something incorrect is said, and how to come across as more confident in meetings without feeling fake. Any advice or practical tips would really help.