Being assertive is being able to express yourself with confidence so that you don't have to resort to being passive, aggressive or manipulative. By developing assertiveness and becoming aware of our own strengths and weaknesses, you can learn how best to modify your behaviour in social and business interactions.

Develop Your Assertiveness, 3rd edition offers simple techniques to enable you to become more assertive. Packed with examples and exercises, it is a self-help guide covering topics such as:

· The importance of choice behaviour;
· Tension control;
· Self-awareness and self-esteem;
· Relationships;
· Making and refusing requests;
· Dealing with problem people;
· Tricky situations

Simply reading Develop Your Assertiveness will not make you more assertive, but if you work through exercises and activities it includes, practicing face-to-face dialogue with friends, colleagues or a group, you will be able to measure your progress and reach your goal.

Sue Bishop is a trainer and consultant. She is the author of several training sourcebooks.

1 To be, or not to be?
2 Prepare to assert yourself
3 Positive thinking
4 Right and wrongs
5 Now and then
6 Now see hear
7 Body talk
8 Relationships
9 Words and phrases
10 Power
11 Yes and no
12 Problem people
13 Tricky situations