One underestimated influence tactic is saying NO. Here are 10 nice ways to say no.
One underestimated influence tactic is saying NO. Here are 10 nice ways to say no.
This method works best when you are ready to assist but are confident that what they are asking you to do either won’t work or that you would prefer to complete the task in a different manner.
This method works best when you are ready to assist but are confident that what they are asking you to do either won’t work or that you would prefer to complete the task in a different manner.
When someone approaches you with a large concept for something they want to be done but wants you to handle all the labour, this tactic works best.
When someone approaches you with a large concept for something they want to be done but wants you to handle all the labour, this tactic works best.
This method works best when you want to help, but someone else could do it more effectively or you need permission to carry out the task.
This method works best when you want to help, but someone else could do it more effectively or you need permission to carry out the task.
The greatest time to use this strategy is when you find it difficult to say no even if you should.
The greatest time to use this strategy is when you find it difficult to say no even if you should.
Ensuring that the question is never posed is occasionally the greatest way to say no.
Ensuring that the question is never posed is occasionally the greatest way to say no.
The risk in this situation is that it might damage your professional reputation by giving the impression that you don’t work well with others.
The risk in this situation is that it might damage your professional reputation by giving the impression that you don’t work well with others.
Be direct in your response rather than using qualifiers like maybe or I don’t think so. Ensure the person asking you the question may be later or some other time.
Be direct in your response rather than using qualifiers like maybe or I don’t think so. Ensure the person asking you the question may be later or some other time.
It’s courteous to briefly explain your decision to say no. This can soften your response and make it clearer to the other person why you’re declining.
It’s courteous to briefly explain your decision to say no. This can soften your response and make it clearer to the other person why you’re declining.
When you answer no, provide an alternative if you want to be perceived as a team player at work.
When you answer no, provide an alternative if you want to be perceived as a team player at work.
Keep your final response no once you have replied. People may finally be able to get you to agree to things you don’t want to do by caving in and changing your response to yes.
Keep your final response no once you have replied. People may finally be able to get you to agree to things you don’t want to do by caving in and changing your response to yes.