Being the boss is all very well, but when it comes to managing employees, and presenting meetings do you find yourself tongue tied and unable to say no? Have a look at the words of wisdom shared by some women who have already mastered their very own assertive technique.

"Delegate as much as you can. Let people make their mark on a project and allow them to make mistakes - it's all part of their learning process, too."
Liz Jackson, Great Guns Marketing

"Women in business have to stop being afraid. They seem afraid of their own shadow sometimes and they cocoon themselves away. You've got to be confident in your business and you've got to be passionate - that way, you can face the worst ogre."
Joy Nichols, Nichols Employment Agency

"When I'm faced with a difficult situation – perhaps a relationship at work that simply isn't working – it can make me very low. And dealing with it is never comfortable. But I always try and build a bridge in my mind to the blue skies beyond and bear in mind that what I'm doing now will help bring a better future."
Stephanie Manuel, Stagecoach Theatre Arts plc

"When you've got a problem to resolve, talking to a member of staff about a difficult issue or making a tricky phone call for example, always do it first thing in the morning. It's not usually as bad as you think it will be, it doesn't prey on your mind for the rest of the day, and after that, nothing else will feel worse. Shouting never does any good, of course. Stick to your word and keep calm. After that, you can go home and have a good cry."
Avril Owton, The Cloud Hotel

"It took me some time to realise the bit about leading by example. But now I can see how important it is. I allow all the team time off and pay for them to go on a volunteer project and I volunteer myself too. That's a cost to bear but once people live it and do it, they're then the best sales people we have in our business."
Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i.com

"Understanding the people and getting the people to buy into the values and culture my father and I had was the most difficult thing for me. As a new business, and knowing each other so well, there wasn't any consistency in what we did. I know now as a leader, you've got to see the future, be the visionary and share the vision. Getting everyone to buy into where the business is going."
Dawn Gibbins, Flowcrete Group plc