Sunday A Note on ‘No’
When we hear ‘No’ it doesn’t feel good. Our sales teams hear it. Our Procurement, Production Coordination, and Experience Product teams hear it when working with our vendors. In fact, we all hear ‘no’ internally when bumping up against constraints within other departments.
‘No’ can be a good thing. But, we often put ‘No’ in the negative category. When we shift our mindset from ‘No’ as a negative to ‘No’ as a positive response, some great benefits begin to emerge.
‘No’ Creates Focus
Every ‘No’ is providing clarity (and space in your life) to what you will say ‘Yes’ to.
‘No’ Correctly Orders Responsibilities
When one says ‘Yes’ to responsibilities for things that one can’t control, expectations get misaligned. The result is added stress as one tries to honor their commitment for which they have no control.
‘No’ Creates Opportunity for Others
Managers should look for opportunities for their people to grow. Saying ‘Yes’ to every request or opportunity could be robbing one’s team of valuable advancement.
‘No’ Creates Clarity
When we say ‘Yes’ or ‘Maybe,’ knowing that the answer is ‘No,’ nothing good comes from it. Saying ‘No’ up front is always better. If a customer is asking for the impossible, ‘No’ sets an appropriate expectation right from the start.
‘No’ Relieves Stress
With clarity and focus, and clear responsibilities established, stress levels begin to subside.
If I’ve managed to convince you that ‘No’ can be a good and powerful tool to create focus, responsibilities, opportunity, and clarity in your life; you may still be wondering how to go about doing this since we’ve been saying ‘Yes’ to everything for so long. Here are some tips that I’ve found to be true:
- Be Direct
If the answer is ‘No’ just say so. Nothing good comes from delaying this answer. It causes stress for you and can set a wrong expectation with the other party. - Be Kind
A little explanation goes a long way. A kind tone tends to be well received and will de-escalate situations where ‘No’ may be a difficult message to deliver. - Be an Expert Guide
A flat ‘No’ can feel like falling off a cliff. Instead, when we seek to understand the situation, the motivation, and the expectations of other stakeholders, we can often provide an alternative solution that will help accomplish the goals of the other party.
Saying ‘No’ is a powerful tool. Time is fixed, and ‘Yes’ is a precious resource. Think strategically about your ‘Yes.’
Have a great day!
