The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No That Puts You in Charge of Your Life

Patrick, a professor of marketing at the University of Houston, advances a notion of “empowered refusal” in her upbeat debut. After acceding to a boss’s arbitrary request to stay late at the office to receive a fax in her mid-20s, Patrick resolved to find a better way to say no and formulated a method driven by one’s “values, priorities, and perspectives.” Here, she outlines a three-part plan for obtaining this “superskill.” First, it’s important to understand why people unwillingly say yes; for one, humans are wired to seek social harmony, and saying no is a “socially dispreferred response.” Next, readers should better understand the priorities that motivate their choices. Finally, the author shares practical tools to handle pushback, such as delegating the refusal or explaining that “no” is part of a “personal policy.” Patrick draws on psychological research and cultural references to illustrate her ideas, and while some don’t do much to advance the argument—as when she cites Katherine Heigl’s character in the movie 27 Dresses as an example of someone who can’t turn down friends’ requests, in this case ending up a bridesmaid in nearly 30 weddings—readers will appreciate her practical strategies and encouraging tone. Despite its weaker moments, this is motivating. (June)