Vanessa Patrick, PhD

In The Power of Saying No, award-winning professor and researcher Vanessa Patrick delves into the new science of saying no. She introduces the ground-breaking concept of "empowered refusal"—a proven framework for saying no that puts you in charge of your life—and reveals some surprising secrets about the power of the word no.

Dr. Patrick shares: why empowered refusal is a valuable superskill that helps us say no in a way that does not invite pushback from others; the toolkit of three competencies you need to develop to effectively communicate an empowered no response; a framework to help separate the "good-for-me" from the "not-good-for-me" activities and engagements that come our way; how to establish and implement personal policies that empower your refusal; and how to use empowered refusal to manage difficult askers, strengthen your relationships, and realize your full potential.

It's more important than ever to protect your time, focus on your top priorities, and use the power of saying no to reach your goals at work and at home. Empowered refusal is a unique, positive, and meaning-filled approach to managing your energy and ambition effectively, allowing you to make lasting, positive changes in your life.