Dear Students,

My colleague come to my office the other day and said “Oh my God, today I acted like you!! I was snappy, but I got what I wanted!!”
And how does it feel, I asked her?
“It feels so good… and so bad…”
Because you go what you wanted?
“Because I was nasty!!”
You mean you were assertive!
She looked at me with her piercing eyes, eager to hear more, always ready to learn.
If one could get by in life with a smile and being courteous, then trust me, we would all be grinning all day long. Unfortunately, till today a lot of people respond better to authoritative attitudes, remember authority was for centuries in the hands of dictating males.
To be a female in a responsible position, you will have, whether you like or not, to adopt some of the male, harsh attitudes. The problem is that some females may over compensate. I surely hope you will never fall into this.
“How do I keep myself in check?”
By understanding what assertiveness means. By asking only that which is your right, and by always thanking and appreciating those who extend their help to you.
“Remember when I used to say I can never be like you?”
Remember when I used to tell you, you just wait and see, I wasn’t born assertive, I became with time and experience. And yet… “Yes?”
Don’t ever try to be me or anybody other than who you are. Have more trust in yourself and your better judgment and know that as long as your heart is in right place and your aim is to get the job done, the tones will vary with each situation, with each new person you meet. At the end of the day, no two people are alike and life is in a constant state of evolution.

I enjoy my conversations with my wide eyed young colleague. She teaches me a lot about myself and there is much to be learned from human interactions.
I hope you enjoy them too,
Till next issue,



Zeina Mokaddam
zeina@ph7-kw.com