Maybe it’s because we’re brought up to believe that to be seen as good and helpful we have to say yes. Maybe we’re brought up to believe that saying no brings conflict in some way. Whatever the reason, I do have lots of people coming to me with a sense that if only they could say no, things would be so much better!
Well here is one thought that may help you say no when you need to:
When you say no, what are you saying yes to?
If your boss or a colleague asks you to do something and you say no, you could be saying yes to:
- More urgent projects
- More valuable projects and work
- Time with your team
- Time with a team member who needs urgent support
- Conversations with stakeholders on matters that are of strategic importance
- Time with your family
- A weekend
- Bedtime story with your child
And so much more…
You see, whether we say no or yes, we are making a choice. Are there times we might want to say no just for the hell of it? Maybe! But those occasions are not frequent.
You could also look at it from the other angle:
When you say yes, what are you saying no to?
And then the same list can apply…
So look at it that way. What’s the choice you’re making and does the choice make sense?
Hope it helps
Sx
