Improving Assertiveness and Decision Making Skills — SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards Vocationally-Related Qualification Employability & Work Skills Revision

    This topic covers understanding decision-making processes and styles, and developing assertiveness to present options and negotiate outcomes. It also addre

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic covers understanding decision-making processes and styles, and developing assertiveness to present options and negotiate outcomes. It also addresses rights and responsibilities.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Improving Assertiveness and Decision Making Skills

    SFEDI ENTERPRISES LTD. T/A SFEDI AWARDS
    vocational

    This topic covers understanding decision-making processes and styles, and developing assertiveness to present options and negotiate outcomes. It also addresses rights and responsibilities.

    3
    Learning Outcomes
    10
    Assessment Guidance
    10
    Key Skills
    3
    Key Terms
    14
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    SFEDI Awards Level 2 Award in Passport to Enterprise and Employment
    SFEDI Awards Level 2 Diploma in Passport to Enterprise and Employment
    SFEDI Awards Level 2 Certificate in Passport to Enterprise and Employment

    Topic Overview

    The SFEDI Awards Level 2 Award in Passport to Enterprise and Employment is a foundational qualification designed to equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in both self-employment and traditional employment. This qualification focuses on developing an enterprise mindset, understanding the key characteristics of entrepreneurs, and exploring the practical steps involved in starting and running a business. It also covers employability skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, and workplace communication, making it a versatile starting point for anyone considering their career options.

    This award is particularly valuable because it bridges the gap between enterprise and employment, recognising that many of the skills required for success are transferable. For example, problem-solving, resilience, and financial literacy are just as important for an employee as they are for an entrepreneur. By completing this qualification, students gain a solid understanding of how to identify opportunities, manage risks, and present themselves effectively to employers or customers. It is an ideal first step for those who are unsure whether to pursue a job or start their own business, as it provides a balanced introduction to both paths.

    Within the wider subject of Employability and Work Skills, this qualification sits as a practical, hands-on unit that encourages students to apply their learning to real-world scenarios. It aligns with the UK government's focus on developing enterprise skills in young people and supports the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance. By the end of the course, students will have created a personal development plan, a basic business idea, and a CV, giving them tangible outcomes to support their next steps in education, training, or employment.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Enterprise mindset: The ability to think creatively, take calculated risks, and persevere through challenges. This includes traits like initiative, resilience, and adaptability.
    • →Employability skills: Key competencies such as communication, teamwork, time management, and digital literacy that make an individual attractive to employers.
    • →Business planning: The process of developing a simple business idea, including market research, costing, and identifying target customers.
    • →Personal development: Reflecting on one's own strengths and weaknesses, setting SMART goals, and creating a plan to improve employability or enterprise potential.
    • →Financial literacy: Basic understanding of profit, loss, budgeting, and the importance of financial record-keeping for both employment and self-employment.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Understand how decisions are madeUnderstand the different types of decisions made within groupsUnderstand different decision making stylesBe able to present options with confidence and assertivenessBe able to make decisions and choicesUnderstand the rights and responsibilities of self and others when making decisionsBe able to negotiate to achieve a desired outcomeUnderstand the implications and benefits of assertiveness
    • Understand how decisions are madeUnderstand the different types of decisions made within groupsUnderstand different decision making stylesBe able to present options with confidence and assertivenessBe able to make decisions and choicesUnderstand the rights and responsibilities of self and others when making decisionsBe able to negotiate to achieve a desired outcomeUnderstand the implications and benefits of assertiveness
    • Understand how decisions are madeUnderstand the different types of decisions made within groupsUnderstand different decision making stylesBe able to present options with confidence and assertivenessBe able to make decisions and choicesUnderstand the rights and responsibilities of self and others when making decisionsBe able to negotiate to achieve a desired outcomeUnderstand the implications and benefits of assertiveness

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Understands how decisions are made in groups.
    • Identifies different decision-making styles.
    • Presents options with confidence and assertiveness.
    • Makes decisions and choices effectively.
    • Negotiates to achieve desired outcomes.
    • Award credit for demonstrating the ability to identify and apply a structured decision-making model (e.g., rational, intuitive) to a given scenario.
    • Award credit for clearly distinguishing between assertive, aggressive, and passive behaviour in role-play or written examples and explaining the benefits of assertiveness.
    • Award credit for presenting at least two viable options with confident, assertive language, and justifying a choice based on considered criteria.
    • Award credit for outlining the rights and responsibilities of self and others during a decision-making process, including respect for diversity and confidentiality.
    • Award credit for demonstrating effective negotiation techniques (e.g., active listening, proposing compromises) to reach a mutually acceptable outcome.
    • Award credit for accurately describing different decision-making styles (autocratic, democratic, consensus, etc.) and providing appropriate examples of their use.
    • Assess the learner's ability to demonstrate assertive communication by clearly stating options, using 'I' statements, and maintaining appropriate body language during role-plays.
    • Evaluate the learner's negotiation skills by observing their ability to propose compromises, listen actively, and respect the rights of others while pursuing a desired outcome.
    • Check for understanding of the rights and responsibilities in decision-making by requiring learners to identify potential conflicts and how to balance individual needs with group or organizational goals.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Use 'I' statements to express your views assertively.
    • 💡Practice active listening during negotiations.
    • 💡Reflect on past decisions to improve future ones.
    • 💡In assessments, always link theory to practice by using specific examples from your own experience, such as a workplace or team project decision.
    • 💡When demonstrating assertive presentation of options, use 'I' statements and maintain eye contact; in written work, phrase proposals clearly and confidently without hesitancy.
    • 💡For negotiation tasks, prepare by setting clear objectives but remain flexible; evidence active listening and a willingness to adjust your stance.
    • 💡Revisit the unit's learning outcomes to ensure you have addressed each one in your evidence; use them as a checklist.
    • 💡When completing written assignments, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure examples of assertive decision-making or negotiation.
    • 💡In observed assessments, clearly label your communication style (e.g., 'I am being assertive by...') to explicitly demonstrate understanding to the assessor.
    • 💡Prepare for questions on group decisions by recalling a time you participated in a team choice and analyse the decision-making process used and its effectiveness.
    • 💡Use real examples from your own experience or from well-known businesses to illustrate your answers. This shows you can apply theory to practice, which is a key assessment criterion.
    • 💡When discussing personal development, be specific about your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid vague statements like 'I need to improve my communication' – instead, say 'I need to work on active listening by summarising what others say before responding.'
    • 💡For the business idea section, ensure your idea is realistic and well-researched. Show that you have considered costs, pricing, and your target market. Even a simple idea like a dog-walking service should include a basic budget and customer profile.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Confusing assertiveness with aggression.
    • Failing to consider others' perspectives.
    • Avoiding decision-making due to lack of confidence.
    • Confusing assertiveness with aggressiveness; claiming that assertiveness means insisting on one's own way without regard for others.
    • Failing to consider the impact of group dynamics on decision-making, such as groupthink or dominant personalities overriding quieter members.
    • Not documenting the decision-making process, leading to a lack of evidence of how a final choice was reached.
    • Assuming that negotiation is only about winning rather than seeking a win-win resolution.
    • Confusing assertiveness with aggression, resulting in a demanding rather than confident tone and undermining negotiation.
    • Failing to consider the impact of decisions on others when making choices, leading to a neglect of responsibilities.
    • Over-relying on a single decision-making style without adapting to the context or group needs.
    • Misconception: Enterprise is only about starting a business. Correction: Enterprise skills are also valuable in employment, as they help you identify opportunities, solve problems, and take initiative in any role.
    • Misconception: You need a lot of money to start a business. Correction: Many successful businesses start with minimal capital. The qualification teaches how to test ideas on a small scale and use free or low-cost resources.
    • Misconception: Employability skills are just common sense. Correction: While some skills may seem obvious, they need to be developed and demonstrated effectively. For example, communication involves active listening, clarity, and adapting your message to different audiences.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 2 qualification, but a basic understanding of English and maths (equivalent to Entry Level 3) is helpful.
    • •Familiarity with using a computer for word processing and internet research will support completion of coursework and assessments.
    • •An interest in exploring career options, whether in employment or self-employment, will help you engage with the content and apply it to your own goals.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Understand how decisions are madeUnderstand the different types of decisions made within groupsUnderstand different decision making stylesBe able to present options with confidence and assertivenessBe able to make decisions and choicesUnderstand the rights and responsibilities of self and others when making decisionsBe able to negotiate to achieve a desired outcomeUnderstand the implications and benefits of assertiveness
    • Understand how decisions are madeUnderstand the different types of decisions made within groupsUnderstand different decision making stylesBe able to present options with confidence and assertivenessBe able to make decisions and choicesUnderstand the rights and responsibilities of self and others when making decisionsBe able to negotiate to achieve a desired outcomeUnderstand the implications and benefits of assertiveness
    • Understand how decisions are madeUnderstand the different types of decisions made within groupsUnderstand different decision making stylesBe able to present options with confidence and assertivenessBe able to make decisions and choicesUnderstand the rights and responsibilities of self and others when making decisionsBe able to negotiate to achieve a desired outcomeUnderstand the implications and benefits of assertiveness

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