No

No

It’s a powerful word and often scary to say. Many fear letting people down or missing out on a new opportunity. We wonder about the implications of saying no.


When was the last time you said "no" to something you were asked to do or even "not right now?" These are powerful phrases and aren't used often enough at work. We feel like we have to say yes, or we'll be looked at as not being a team player. We feel like yes is the expected answer. We don’t realize that because we rarely say no, people start making assumptions about what we will do.


Yes. I’ll participate in that meeting.?

Yes. I’ll stay late/come in early tomorrow.

Yes. I’ll pick up this new hobby project.

Yes. I’ll interview that candidate.

Yes. I’ll take on another mentee.

Yes. I’ll edit the slide deck another time.

Yes. I’ll lead this initiative.


None of these things are bad choices or the wrong ones. By saying yes, though, you need to say no to something else.


No. I can’t spend extra time with my team just catching up.

No. I can't take on that new exciting activity.

No. I can’t find time to do long-range planning.

No. I can’t fit in more time for coaching sessions with a team member.

No. I can’t review that new set of offering materials.

No. I can’t take my kids out for ice cream after school.?

No. I can’t get in my 7+ hours of sleep.

No. I can’t fit in my workout.


We don’t realize that many successful people pin their success on saying no to the things that are not their highest priorities. They know the small number of things they want to focus on and are relentless about staying in those lanes. Saying yes to something else means being distracted from achieving their goals. They know that “no” is their power word.


Trying to say no or not right now to all the things outside your priorities. You’ll feel a new sense of power.

Linda Goodman

I’ve helped clients generate over $100MM in new business by circumventing the pitfalls of traditional marketing / Marketing Strategy Advisor to CEOs and Owners / Author: Why Customers Really Buy

2 年

I find it very difficult to turn away a client but recently did just that Melissa Carson. For 3 years he had been unsuccessful at generating investor interest in his invention. But instead of being open to listening to their input, his focus was exclusively on how to prove them wrong. If someone has a closed mind, and is convinced only they are right and everyone else is wrong, I have “no” interest.

Archit Modi

Finance Associate @ RSM US LLP | Cost Accountant

2 年

Well said Melissa Carson. No means No. It is one of such powerful word

Nicky Westhead, PCC, MSc.

Executive Coach | Team Coach | Facilitator | Leadership Advisor | Board Member | High-School & College Mentor | Ironman Coach|

2 年

saying no to emails now to be in nature for recharge and refresh - thanks for the reminder Melissa Carson

Dr. Wilma Slenders, CDI.D, MSM, PCC

Perform better. Grow faster. Achieve more. | Board director | exec coach | strategic consultant | respectful disruptor| intn'l speaker

2 年

Melissa Carson, you're correct in that not saying 'no' tells people what we are and are not willing to do And, that 'one-off' becomes the normal way of doing things I needed this post today.

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