Assertiveness can range anywhere from being able to take back a pair of shoes to addressing a problem the person is experiencing with his or her mate, said Karola Alford, the leader of an upcoming workshop on the subject.

Alford, a counselor at Eastern’s Counseling Center, will present an interactive workshop focusing on ways to deal with people assertively at the “How To Be Assertive” workshop tonight at 7:30 in the Charleston/Mattoon Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Alford will help students to develop techniques that balance passive and aggressive behavior.

Anyone who has trouble on one extreme or the other is encouraged to attend, Alford said.

The workshop is designed to help students in dealing with any kind of relationship, including teachers, parents, roommates, boyfriends or girlfriends, she said.

“Sometimes people come in with problems with parents, roommates or boyfriends/girlfriends, and assertiveness is at the core of the problem,” Alford said. This workshop will define the difference between being passive, aggressive or assertive, she said.

Many students have a problem of being too passive, Alford said. When this occurs, people begin to feel as though they are being used or walked all over.

In contrast, some may experience being avoided because of aggressive behavior. These individuals may be too harsh and sometimes abusive, she said.

The balance between the two is to learn how to be assertive, which is being able to stand up for oneself but not be harsh about what he or she is discussing, she said.

A test will be given at the workshop to evaluate an individual’s assertiveness. This will help people find out whether they are passive, aggressive or assertive, and can help them move to a helpful balance and communicate effectively, Alford said.

Alford will use information from a book titled “Your Assertive Rights.” A pamphlet on assertiveness is also available at the Counseling Center.