Hi there: Have any of you ever taken an assertiveness workshop for women in the workplace? I'm really interested in taking one. Even though I'm pushing 40, at work, I am not listened to, and it's to the detriment of the entire team and work projects. They usually find out too late that they should have listened to me, but that's only after they talk over me or ignore me. I then become a little too aggressive in trying to get my point across. A conflict usually escalates, and they take that opportunity to unleash a lot of abuse my way, to vent, etc. I am in the process now of NOT completing the other team member's tasks for them and seeing how that goes as a natural consequence to them not listening to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions? My physical appearance and the fact that I'm the only person in my office under the age of 40, sometimes causes problems. I would like to learn to be more assertive. I don't want to straighten and shorten my hair and dress only in suits when everyone else is dressed casually, to garner authority. Any ideas?

I have a boss who is prone to calling people "dude!" at the top of his lungs, and sometimes cussing and using foul language. He's purchased a convertible Mustang and has started wearing Hawaiin print shirts to work. He doesn't own the company. I'm not in a very professional office. Some people do very well in those settings and others don't. I'm looking for another job, but I'm not sure if my lack of assertiveness will be a problem at my new job also.