A Woman in Your Own Right: The Art of Assertive, Clear and Honest Communication

Learning how to be assertive is a life-saver.I first read this book some 20 years ago. It quite literally changed my life. I learned how to say what I needed to say at the right time and in the right way. No more misunderstanding, ambiguity, manipulating, martyrdom from myself towards others or them towards me!I must have bought at least 20 copies since, but I've given them all away during my practice as a volunteer in miscarriage support. Grief and bereavement can cause serious breakdown in clear conversation. Everybody thinks they know what you are going through and how you should act, but they don't as "they" are not you. Being able to tell your truth in a clear, consistent and honest way literally does save relationships at these overwhelming times and allows the right things to be said and understood and for grief to flow fluently.I have recently purchased a Kindle copy for my own reference - hence the opportunity for this review. I'm delighted to have had the chance to pass this snippet on.

Having read many "self-help" books over the past few years, this was the one that really defined my problem - I'm a doormat! Or, at least, I was in the past! I have been trying for some time to stop being a doormat and now that Anne Dickson has so clearly described the doormat-type, how she behaves and how to counteract this ingrained behaviour I feel so much better armed for the fight. However, one thing Anne says, that many self-help books say, is to use repetition - I'm not sure whether this works or not. I usually find that when someone is trying to use me as a doormat I get so flustered I can't think straight, let alone talk straight, let alone stick doggedly to one apt phrase! But perhaps this is just one more thing I need to work on! All in all, I found this book very easy to read and very helpful. I would recommend it to anyone who feels in need of a bit of help to sort their life out.

Very good guidance, every woman could benefit from. As someone brought up never allowed to be assertive, I have struggled with it and confuse it with anger or 'not being nice' at times. But people have been assertive towards me and I value it. I want to feel more comfortable being assertive myself. We all have to deal with situations. This book helps us do it better and maintain our integrity.

This book is old but still very relevant in today's world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book that I couldn't wait to share it with my friend. It's fascinating to see how many people act in a certain way (characteristics). It's an easy read as it breaks events into manageable scenarios. Life doesn't have a rule book, but this book helps you to understand how your personality/characteristics may affect your relationships with others and yourself...why you might react or hide behind your feelings. I wouldn't get this book if you are expecting it to give you answers, it merely shows you examples of characteristics and how they would react...read it and see which character you are most like :-)

I bought this book when it was first published many many years ago. It is for me the seminal work on assertiveness. It is also easy to read, very straightforward, truly illuminating, rational and totally pertinent.Since I read it I have implemented its strategies in my life. I have also bought at least 20 copies and given them to friends and students, female and male - I sometimes think in today's climate that men need it as much as women.One student said to me : 'The only thing that's missing is your name'. That sums up its impact!

I have found this book to be really useful. Using some of the ideas, I have managed to go through a Review Process I was dreading, and have a successful meeting with an extremely difficult person. In fact, it is so good I bought 4 friends a copy each so that we can have a go at role-playing our tricky 'lack of assertiveness' moments and support each other. Already, one person has said that the ideas have helped her with situations both at work and with her family.

Hoping this would give me lots of new ideas to be more assertive, but just states the obvious. A bit outdated (originally written in the 80's) in concept in my opinion.

I bought copies for my two daughters for Christmas. One works in a male dominated environment, and sadly, one notoriously populated by a fairly arrogant group. She has practised techniques recommended in this book, and already feels the benefits. She views it as an invaluable aid to dealing with situations which previously caused her a lot of stress. From the examples she has recounted to me, I would strongly recommend this book for the reading list of all young people - and I'm off to buy my own copy!

This clear, engaging, and gently humorous book helped set me on the path to assertive behaviour back in the 80s when I was an anxious young woman. The examples of assertive skills and their application in every-day situations were relevant to my life and easy to follow. Now, 30-years later, as a practicing clinical psychologist, I still think it is one of the most accessible books on this topic and regularly recommend it to my clients. An excellent buy!

言いたいことを言えない女性たちに読んでほしいです。はじめは、翻訳版を読みました。原書では女性とセックスに関する記述が興味深く、翻訳版で省かれているのを残念に思いました。アサーティブに生きることは日本の文化の中では難しいものですが、この本でごり押しやヒステリックになることなく、自分の意見を言えるテクニックや大切さを学んだ気がします。すべての女性に読んでいただきたいと思います。

Wonderful book. Shaped my life. I’ve bought more than 30 copies and given as gifts. Wish it was still in print!!

I liked it. It gives concrete tips on how to have your voice heard.

This book is an easy, straight forward ,educative Psychology book. I use it for personal use; group work , & individual psychotherapy work. The information in it , is as valied now as when I first discovered it in 1990's.I recommend it for use as a reference book, to all who , either "work in the field", or just to have. There is also humour included.