9 smart strategies to say "no" and why
TRANSCRIPT
Learning how to say “No” is part of success
it’s sometimes hard to understand WHY and HOW to effectively say it.
BUT
Learning to Say “No” Is Part of Success by Ed Batista (HBR)
ADMIT ITWhy do you tend to say “Yes” ?!
Excitement for the call of
help
Fear of losing opportunities
Embarrassment for turning others
down
Willing to prove
yourself
So you jump to saying “yes” simply to Please yourself or others!
ADMIT IT
Distraction from your core mission
You have limited time and resources
Being the “Jack of all trades,
Master of none”
so simply shrinking the window of achieving what you really should do!
Why would you sometimes regret saying “Yes” ?!
PRACTICE IT
Well Before During AfterBe Reflective
Be Prepared
Be Futuristic
Be Conservative
Be Opportunistic
Be Assertive
Be Authentic
Be Creative
Be Empathetic
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> >with the following 9 smart strategies
WELL BEFORE
the request comes in and the moment of thinking and deciding whether to say “yes”
or “no” …
REFLECTIVEBe and
This will help you understand how much more you can take on!
1
Reflect and plan your agenda
What fills your schedule?
What makes you busy?
deeply understand what stuffs your agenda
PREPAREDBe and
This will prepare you to decide to (or not to) answer a request
2
Don’t wait for the moment where you cannot decide
Keep your mission on
check
Have a simple qualification check for opportunities
clarify you mission and priorities
FUTURISTICBe and
This will help others how to approach you and for what kind of asks
3
Highlight your roles & responsibilities
Talk about your work
Talk about your interests
advertise your work and agenda
CONSERVATIVEBe and
This will equip you with the needed time and resources to fulfill
4
Ask for resources to help you with the
request
Have it on your own terms
Clarify consequences on what you do now
gracefully & conditionally say “yes”
OPPORTUNISTICBe and
This will enable you to expand on worlds beyond your own
5
Realign it with your own mission and
priorities
From a request to an
opportunity
Exploit for your own (good)
agenda
reframe the request to serve your work
ASSERTIVEBe and
This will help others to accept the fact and plan alternatives timely
6
Don’t drag, but rather say it fast
When deeply sure you should say no
Do it with a great attitude of
assertiveness
kindly & firmly say “no”
AUTHENTICBe and
This will help others to understand: it is “no” this time only!
7
Deeply show your regret
Express your gratitude for being
approached
Remind others of your mission and priorities
deeply & genuinely explain “why no”
CREATIVEBe and
This will raise the odds that you will still be approached next time
8
Channel the request to someone who can (or
should!)
Show that you want to help
Give recommendations
along the way
give alternative solutions and channels
EMPATHETICBe and
This will help you keep the bridge in case “no” was a hard answer
9
Remotely observe the requester and the request
Even if you have said NO
Connect and check on progress
follow up and show that you care
it’s about being prepared, choosing a smart answer, and having the right
attitude and commitment
Happy and mindful decisions!
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