Let’s admit, we’ve all begrudgingly said ‘yes’ to something we may not agree with. Though, more often than not, reckless yeses can result in a hoard of missed commitments and unachievable expectations.
The good thing is, we can clean up the workplace with one simple word: no. By sweeping the yes-man under the carpet, you can save time and energy to focus on the tasks that will move your career forward.
Here’s three occasions at work when ‘no’ is no-ble…
It takes you away from other commitments
Prioritisation is key in today’s time-poor society. Most of the time, we’re juggling a bazillion tasks that were miraculously needed yesterday. By saying ‘no’, we can simplify our everlasting to-do list and prioritise commitments that offer value.
When taking your priorities into consideration, it’s important to evaluate: “If I say ‘yes’ to this, what am I saying ‘no’ to?”. If you’re not making a profit or the task could easily be accomplished by someone else, saying ‘no’ demonstrates your ability to prioritise and time keep.
You disagree with the decision
If you disagree with a decision, you should always speak up and avoid beating around the bush. You don’t necessarily have to say ‘no’, but you should try to confidently communicate your concerns and compassionately challenge the processes that you disagree with.
‘Why’ is a good substitute for ‘no’ as it constructs a conversation so that you can understand other points of view. In fact, encouraging justification could earn you respect in the long run.
The expectations are unattainable
Everyone has a limited amount of time and resources, but it’s your job to meet expectations. In doing so, it’s imperative to only accept tasks that are feasible. At the end of the day, businesses don’t want someone who complete half the job.
But instead of saying ‘no’, why not try to offer solutions? No one is an expert on every topic – not even us! To help us meet the expectations of a variety of clients, we have an extensive network of expertise that we can reach out to and outsource when necessary.
While saying ‘no’ blatantly has its benefits, it’s important to communicate effectively. By giving gratitude for asking, offering an explanation, and providing an alternative solution you can confidently, yet compassionately say ‘no’.
Don’t forget, if you find yourself inundated with unachievable expectations, we’re here to help you agree to disagree.
