You’ve heard the success advice before: “Raise your hand for every opportunity.” “Volunteer for more projects.” “Say yes to everything.”
And that’s all great, with one exception.
When you’re overloaded and stressed, saying yes to too much is just stupid.
(Okay, “stupid” is a bit harsh, especially for a nice person like me. Let me think again . . hmmm. . .) No, it’s still stupid. Here’s why.
Saying No at Work Is More Important Than Ever: Even When You’re Awesome
We live in a time of great opportunity, with lots of amazing things to say yes to and tremendous opportunities to learn and grow. Everyone has a good idea to pursue.
And there’s lots to do in our fun, fast, and fantastic world of work.
So, because you’re valuable, talented, and sweet-smelling, they want you involved. And you—with your fantastic superpowers— will always add value. Make things better.
But at what cost?
Because when you say “yes” to too many things, you end up saying “no” to the most important things for you.
Your primary goals or growth agendas get pushed into tiny corners of time in-between meetings, video calls, and eventually, commutes.
Your sleeping habits, healthy eating, or regular walks outdoors can go back-burner fast.
You end up sacrificing you.
I’ve written about this in my book, “Red Cape Rescue: Save Your Career Without Leaving Your Job” (Page Two, Oct. 2021), in a chapter called Drop Some Balls. Sign up for behind-the-scenes details on the book and you’ll be among the first to read it.
To really stay focused working in our superpower space—the place where we’re bringing our best and highest contribution to our work and our lives, where we feel clear, confident, and in control-—we have to get better at saying no.
Here’s How to Say No at Work: Scripts & Strategies You Need Now
Many times, my coaching clients know what they want to express, but aren’t sure how to say it. Inspired by their struggles and desires to do the right thing and say no (without destroying their careers), I’ve created 13 different ways you can put the right words in your mouth to say NO at work.
I’m not promising all of these are appropriate at every time. But they’ll work more often than not speaking up at all. So I’ll trust you to use your judgment, do some experiments, and see what can happen for you.
[Oh, and if you’re a leader, this applies to you even more, since more things come at you all the time. Plus, here’s a perspective as to why it’s important that you learn how to HEAR no, too.)
1. No, thank you.
Yes, “no” is technically a complete sentence. I like adding the thank you ’cause I’m friendly.
After saying no, however, shut up, shut up, shut up. Don’t offer an explanation; wait for a question or followup. Let there be space for discomfort. Most people won’t push past your confidence.
2. Appreciate you asking, but I’m fully committed right now.
For most asks that aren’t direct orders from a boss or leader, this works just fine. And of course, you don’t have to tell anyone what you’re fully committed with. Maybe you’ve blocked an afternoon on your calendar to plan next week’s client meeting or even to take an afternoon off.
Just because your commitment is with yourself doesn’t mean you can give it away.
3. It sounds interesting, but it’s not on my list of priorities right now.
4. Based on what you’ve shared so far, I know I don’t have capacity to take it on.
5. Let me play back what I’ve heard you say.
[Then share your understanding back to them.]
Do I have it right? At a quick glance, I don’t think I’ll have capacity to help in the way you need. But let me look at my commitments and come back to you in a couple of days.
Then, follow up later as planned, saying,
“As I thought, what you need won’t fit into my schedule right now. Do you need my help figuring out other ways to either change the timing or scope of the project so you can find the right resource?”
6. Do you get pulled into projects outside your superpower space because you’re copied on a mass email and you’re just trying to help?
Ignore the urge to jump in on the mass email conversation and offer an opinion/advice on a problem that someone else is accountable for.
When you offer it, you’re in it.
Instead, go directly to the person and say, “Do you have all the input you need on the XYZ issue that was going around in email? If you still need ideas, I had a few, but know you probably have it handled by now.”
Let them decide if they need help rather than you assuming your help is wanted. You’ll be valued even more for giving them the respect to choose.
7. Based on the agenda, it doesn’t look like I’m really needed at that meeting, so I’ll take a pass. Thanks for including me.
Find other ways to reduce your meeting attendance in my article “Make Work Easier: 8 Experiments to Save Time, Money and Stress.”
8. I’d love to contribute, but right now I’m laser-focused on everything that has a direct connection to my goal of X, so I’ll have to take a pass.
9. Here’s a strategy with your boss or senior leader
I’d be happy to be of help. But first, let’s look at what’s already in the hopper.
We’ve already decided that projects A and B as my key priorities for the quarter. Which of those should we put on the back burner to make room for this project?
[Then, shut up, shut up, shut up. Make the person squirm and force a decision. Don’t sacrifice yourself to make the conversation easier. This is a business discussion—it’s not about you.]
10. Thanks, but I’m not the right person for that. Do you want to take five minutes now to brainstorm about who is?
Read How to Ask for More Support at Work.
11. I hear you say you want to do X. As I look at it, if we add X to the scope of this assignment, we’ll compromise our priority of Y. So if Y is still our priority, we’ll need to say no to X.
Read “I Have Too Many Priorities! What to Do If That Is You.”
12. I don’t see that we can successfully complete it sooner than planned unless we make changes to the timeline.
Do we want to revisit the timeline together now? What parts can we change or drop?
13. I’m focused on serving our company’s best interest of [goal here]. With that in mind, no, it’s not in our best interest for me to take on Z right now.
I’m happy to revisit it [next month, next quarter, next fiscal year]–do we want to put a check-in meeting on the calendar to look at it again then?
If none of these work to rightsize your workload with your boss, leaders or even internal and external clients, it might be time for a tough conversation (find scripts and strategies here.)
But don’t wait until you’re at your breaking point to try these out. We need YOU in our world of work.
Hey—want more help?
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