An assertive woman knows that it takes a strong sense of self to succeed she has to make boundaries and even be disagreeable to be the best boss.

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She finds both thanks to Aibileen, who tries to instill in the child a strong sense of self and an even stronger sense of others, despite their race.

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But if parents, teachers and the other adults in a child's life never acknowledge "how things are" -- no matter how good the intention may be -- then they are denying that child an opportunity to mature, to develop a strong sense of self-confidence that can only be earned by recognizing shortcomings and dealing with disappointments and failures.

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"And being able to survive from my art has given me a strong sense of fulfillment and self-worth, " he says.

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