For those of us who often say "yes", because, "we do not have a choice", William Ury offers a map to freedom via the road to responsibility. Using stories and examples to bring his methodology to life, Ury walks the reader thru his Yes! No. Yes? process for developing, delivering, and following-up on what he calls a Positive No. In short, Ury shows the way to move from helpless victim to empowered adult while strengthening the relationship of the parties involved. The thinking on responsibility is a relational lesson of the highest order.
The concept is simple. The first 'Yes!' is a declaration of what you are seeking to create, protect, or change in the matter. Call it clarity of purpose, a statement of principles or values. This 'Yes!' is your higher calling, and it grounds you in the positive and gives a sense of direction - it is your intentions. The 'No.' contains your needs in the matter - why the no must be given due to your higher commitment. The second 'Yes?' opens another door for the other party, at the same time as the central 'No.' closes the original one. Obviously, the process for implementation is a bit more complex than the concept, and that is why this is a book, and not a 10 page magazine article.
With 240 pages devoted to this singular topic, the author is able to present both the intellectual concept and the practical actions to bring it about. The book covers all the ground,from telling the reader how to think, to showing how the doing might happen; thus keeping this readers interest from beginning to end. I started the read with a 'No.' in mind and ended with a strong 'Yes!'
Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"
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The Power of a Positive No: Save The Deal Save The Relationship and Still Say No Books In Print, Audio Books.