A key part of having a lot of demands on your time is learning how to say no. You cannot help everyone who needs it, you have to prioritise and do the most important and relevant items first.

Learning how to say no and not offend people, is one of the most important skills you can learn. In fact doing it the right way can actually endear you to people.

Most people do not like saying no to other because:

• It might cause offence
• You may look risk adverse (or like you cannot do the thing you are being asked to do)
• Might disappoint someone
• It might cause confrontation
• People might not help you when you ask them

I have found that when I say no to people in a nice way, it helps if you use the following;

• Give reasons and context, if you explain why you are saying no it is easier to accept
• Empathise with their situation, make them feel that you are not rejecting them simply refusing them
• Give alternatives to help solve their situation

For example if the HR manager asks you to help with the appraisals but you have a big deadline to meet you may say:

“No I’m afraid I can’t help you today, I have a have a really big deployment today and my team are waiting for me (reason). I appreciate that someone needs to help you with the appraisals (empathise), would you like me to ask James if he can help you? (alternative).

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 4:38 pm and is filed under General.
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