The Power of a Positive No - by William Ury (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A practical three-step method for saying no in any situation--without losing the deal or the relationship, from the author of Possible and Getting Past No

"In this wonderful book, William Ury teaches us how to say No--with grace and effect--so that we might create an even better Yes."--Jim Collins, author of Good to Great

In The Power of a Positive No, William Ury of Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation teaches you how to take the next step toward getting what you want. It all begins with the most powerful and perhaps most important word in any situation: No.

But saying the wrong kind of No can destroy what we value and alienate others. That's why saying No the right way--to people at work, at home, and in our communities--is crucial.

You'll learn how to:
- Assert your own interests while respecting the other side's
- Use power effectively
- Defuse the other side's attack, manipulation, and guilt tactics
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Develop healthier relationships
- Stand up for yourself without stepping on the other person's toes

In today's world of high stress and limitless choices, the pressure to give in and say Yes grows greater every day, producing overload and overwork, expanding e-mail and eroding ethics. Never has No been more needed. And with The Power of a Positive No, we can learn how to use No to profoundly transform our lives by enabling us to say Yes to what counts--our own needs, values, and priorities.

Review Quotes

"William Ury brings a marvelous blend of experience, insight, integrity and warmth to his work. In this wonderful book he teaches us how to say No--with grace and effect--so that we might create even better Yes."--Jim Collins, author of Good to Great

"Every woman needs a copy of this book. Learning to set realistic limits while honoring relationships is more than a win-win strategy. It's a miracle. I promise that learning to deliver a positive no can change your life--it changed mine dramatically in a single week."--Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Inner Peace for Busy People and Inner Peace for Busy Women

"For me and many others who are involved in resolving disputes, a new book by Bill Ury about negotiation is an exciting event. This incisive new approach will be a boon to all of us."--President Jimmy Carter

"William Ury's advice on how to say 'No' gracefully brims with social intelligence. An immensely useful book for anyone."--Daniel Goleman, author of The Emotionally Intelligent Leader

"Born of profound professional worldwide experiences and painful personal challenges, this is another marvelous book from William Ury, really a prequel to Getting to Yes. It compellingly shows that you can give a 'positive no' if you find the burning 'yes' inside you. . . . Tremendous contribution!"--Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness

"The world's biggest shared secret is that most of us say yes when we really want to say no, in both our professional and private lives. Bill Ury generously provides us with insights and techniques to turn this malady into win-win solutions. This is a wise and powerful book."--John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends

"No matter whether you are negotiating compensation with the toughest CFO or a curfew for your teenager, this book teaches us a critical and counterintuitive lesson. You can say no and still be nice. Simple, straightforward and easy to read, The Power of a Positive No is a yes on our reading list."--Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, authors of The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness

"Almost any brief comment on The Power of a Positive No would be trite. Suffice it to say that if I'd had and used this book for the last twenty-five years, I would have doubtless avoided innumerable heartaches and headaches and tattered personal and professional relationships. 'Original' is an embarrassingly overused word on book dust jackets, but, simply, this all-important book stands alone on a subject that underpins, like no other, individual and organizational effectiveness."--Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence

"Yet another essential roadmap from Bill Ury . . . this book is the perfect companion to Getting to Yes and should be read by anyone who struggles with getting what you want while continuing to protect that which is most important to you. Be prepared--this book will change your life."--Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power

About the Author

A world-renowned negotiator, mediator, and bestselling author, William Ury directs the Global Negotiation Project at Harvard University. Over the last thirty years he has helped millions of people, hundreds of organizations, and numerous countries at war reach satisfying agreements.