He started expressing his true opinions in meetings, even when they were unpopular. He stopped apologizing for things that weren't his fault. To his surprise, people didn't hate him; they began to respect him more. He was no longer the "reliable doormat"—he was a man with boundaries.

The book (known in Arabic as "لا تكن لطيفاً أكثر من اللازم") by Duke Robinson explores the "Nice Girl/Guy" syndrome—the habit of people-pleasing at the expense of one's own well-being.

Here is a story inspired by the core lessons of the book, illustrating the transition from "too nice" to "assertively kind." The Shadow of Yes

By the time he returned to his daughter’s next recital, he wasn't just there physically. He was there mentally, no longer burdened by the resentment of a thousand "yeses" he never wanted to say.