Navigating Culture - May

Welcome to Country Navigator’s May newsletter.

?NEWSLETTER CONTENT:

• Simple but powerful
• Masterclass: Saying no to power
• Latest blogs

SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL

It’s one of the first things we do when we learn to speak as babies.

In most languages, it’s a small, simple word.

And it’s a really powerful word.?

But sometimes, it’s just really hard to say, ‘No!’

Julia was working at least two more hours each day than she should – she cancelled dates, she stopped meeting her family and friends and even skipped meals. Mike her boss kept giving her really exciting new tasks to stretch her and give her the opportunity to grow. But now she’s worried she’s going to fail.

Arthur has been asked if he would like to become a volunteer mental health champion. He’s naturally empathetic, a great listener and has personal experience of the need for a listening ear. But he’s also suffering from anxiety, he’s in a junior role with quite demanding stakeholders and he’s at the lowest pay grade in his team. The volunteer role needs about two hours each week additional to his regular work. He really shouldn’t take it on, but management are pressuring him for a quick answer.

Sukhi is frustrated. The sales director, Alison, has just asked her team if they can put on a bespoke event for a new client at really short notice. The client is promising a huge new contract and Alison wants to put on something special. Sukhi tries to explain that her team is stretched and can’t devote enough time to the event to make it work, but Alison insists.

1. Julia’s annual review doesn’t go well – she’s taken on too much and her core tasks have suffered. Mike puts her on probation
2. Arthur’s doctor tells him that the increased stress he is under is extremely damaging, so Arthur resigns from his job.
3. The sales event is a disaster – it’s poorly executed and the client isn’t impressed. Alison is so angry with Sukhi that they don’t speak for a month.

If you say ‘yes’ when you should have said ‘no’ you hurt yourself, your team and your business. But for some reason, we all struggle. Refusing a request is a face threat – you directly challenge authority, and that’s why we often stay silent and just take on more than we should.?

Three quick suggestions:

1. Choose your battles. Make sure you are saying the right things. If you earn a reputation for good judgment, people will trust your ‘no’ and not pressure you?
2. Make sure your ‘no’ is heard – there’s nothing worse than saying no, if the person you’ve told hears ‘yes, possibly…’?
3. Be aware of the consequences of saying ‘no’ – be realistic and provide an alternative if possible

And that’s not all!

If you want to learn more, join us in our Saying No to Power masterclass on June 8, 1500 CET, 1400 UK, 0900 EST. Dr Andy Brough will explore how you can say no with cultural intelligence.

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