5 Steps to Assertiveness

How to Communicate with Confidence and Get What You Want

by S. Renee Smith

Number of pages: 134

BBB Library: Communication, Personal Success

ISBN: 978-1939754622

About the Author

S. Renee Smith is a renowned self-esteem and branding expert, life and business coach, and resource to the media. She has worked with over 100 clients in nine different industries and is sought after for her ability to shatter old beliefs and mental constructs―closing the gaps in the minds of audiences regarding how they see themselves, their careers, and their abilities to achieve success.

Editorial Review

Assertiveness goes beyond standing up for yourself. Assertiveness is saying what you want in a way that makes others want to listen. This philosophy is at the heart of the self-development method created by nationally recognized self-esteem and communication expert S. Renee Smith. In 5 Steps to Assertiveness, the nationally recognized self-esteem and communication expert distills what she’s learned and taught about assertiveness over the past 20 years into 5 easy-to-follow steps. Built on her successful engagement with hundreds of organizations and individual clients, S. Renee has curated this actionable 5-step how-to guide that will help you see the value of what you have to say- and gain the confidence to say it.

Book Reviews

"This book, 5 Steps to Assertiveness was an eye-opener for me. I usually can recognize passive-aggressive communication and behavior in other people but not in myself. After reading this book, I was able to identify my communication style. I found many tips and tools in the book that I am using to make changes in how I communicate with my family, friends, and colleagues. By practicing easy-to-follow exercises in the book, I am learning to be assertive without being aggressive. When I am assertive, I feel like I am in control of the situation. I plan to purchase more copies to give as a gift to my friends and families."

"Everyone needs to know how and when to speak up for themselves, but most of us do it too aggressively, too passively, or even too passively aggressively. S. Renee’s wonderfully insightful new book, 5 Steps to Assertiveness, provides a much-needed roadmap for all of us to know how to speak our minds in ways that other people, both at work and at home, can better hear and understand what we want and need.No matter how good you think you are at communicating, S. Renee’s many practical tools and insights will make a profound difference in the quality of all your relationships."

"Perfect information to use when counseling and guiding others in positive ways of speaking up and moving forward to have needs met."

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Wisdom to Share

Passive communicators feel fearful, helpless, and invisible because they ignore their own needs while giving others permission to impose their will on them.

If you are a passive communicator, it is essential that you recognize and own this truth: You are making the decision to give your power to someone else.

I want you to be brave enough to say no without feeling guilty or—say yes and really mean it—and I know you want that for yourself, too.

Instead of being thoughtful with their words, aggressive communicators impulsively say whatever they feel without regard to how it impacts others, however, in many cases, their behavior is unintentional.

Your reaction to others may be so ingrained and habitual that you don’t even notice the impact of your behaviors.

The passive-aggressive communicator’s behavior is unexpected. They appear to be cooperative, but their real agenda is vastly different.

The key is to maintain the overall health of the relationship even if the conversation begins to get chaotic and ends in disagreement.

Your rights and the rights of the others are one and the same during all types of communication.

Each person is unique and comes packaged with layers of experiences and complexities that frame their views of themselves and the world.

No matter your gender identity, you are capable of tapping into your courage, taking hold of your power, and assertively communicating your truth. You don’t need permission.

Not knowing how to do something is not a weakness. It takes a great sense of self to say, “This is a challenge. I need your help. Will you show me how to do this?”