There is no such thing as being “too assertive”.

Assertive: n. an adaptive style of communication in which individuals express their feelings and needs directly, while maintaining respect for others. A lack of assertiveness may contribute to depression and anxiety, whereas maladaptive approaches to assertiveness may manifest as aggression. ~ APA Dictionary of Psychology

Healthy workplaces are ones which are led with assertiveness and engage in assertive communication across all levels of business. Have you ever felt as though you get your toes stepped on at work? Or conversely, have you ever been accused of being a “bulldozer” running over any person in your path? Assertiveness skill development can remedy both such conditions.

This workshop has two components. The first introduces assertiveness concepts by engaging with a living metaphor: the horse. Participants will be guided on an assertiveness journey learning how to identify where they are on the assertiveness scale and then develop the personal assertive communication skills they require, through learning horsemanship principles.

All participants will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from Ellen and the HJC herd.

The second component will take place in the HJC indoor facility with a warm drink in hand! Participants will take a facilitated deeper dive into the experience they had with the horses and use what they learned to develop strategies which they can implement in their respective workplaces.

Overall learning outcomes:

• Identify and recognize assertive behaviour.

• Correctly differentiate between passive, aggressive and assertive behaviour.

• Explore and practice assertive boundary building.

• Practice asserting yourself.

• Develop personal strategies for workplace assertiveness.

Program will include a light snack and warm beverage.

All programs adhere to Public Health Guidelines in regard to Covid-19.

Horse portion of the program is in our horse facility. Please dress for the weather.

Please take your own mask.

*All programs at HJC operate with the strictest of confidentiality at heart. Emotional and physical safety are a high values for our programming and our facility. We ask all participants to hold the confidentiality of each individual in high regard. Photographs of the facility and the presenter are welcomed however please only post or take photos which have been requested and approved by participants. Tell stories of what takes place but do not identify individuals as you recount events. Thank-you for helping us create a safe environment for learning.*

Book online through Acuity:

Healthy boundaries lead to healthy relationships.

“When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

This workshop (like all HJC workshops) has two components. The first introduces healthy boundary building by engaging with a living metaphor: the horse. Participants will learn how to build respectful boundaries with one of our HJC horses and be coached as they discover their individual pain points.

Participants will be guided on an assertiveness journey, learning how to identify where they are on the assertiveness scale and then develop the personal assertive communication skills they require to set healthy boundaries, through learning horsemanship principles.

All participants will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from Ellen and the HJC herd.

The second component will take place in the HJC indoor facility with a warm drink in hand! Participants will take a facilitated deeper dive into the experience they had with the horses and use what they learned in the arena to develop strategies which they can implement in their lives.

Overall learning outcomes:

• Recognize the effects of unhealthy boundaries.

• Correctly differentiate between passive, aggressive and assertive behaviour.

• Explore and practice assertive boundary building.

• Practice asserting yourself.

• Develop personal strategies for healthy boundary building.

Program will include a light snack and warm beverage.

All programs adhere to Public Health Guidelines in regard to Covid-19.

Minimum 3 participants, maximum 5 (for safety during Covid-19).

Horse portion of the program is in our unheated horse facility. Please dress for February.

Please take your own mask.

STORM DATE: should we have to cancel for winter weather, we will automatically reschedule for Sunday, February 28th at 12:30 pm.

Book online through Acuity: