Everybody needs to master the art of saying ‘no’ appropriately. That means knowing when to say ‘yes’ and how to say ‘no’. For example, you might decline some meeting requests but be savvy about saying ‘yes’ to others. Let’s look at how to do this.

Delivering a well-thought-out ‘no’ is an art. It isn’t about being unhelpful; it’s about understanding your limits and making informed decisions. You need to ask the right questions and weigh the pros and cons. Saying ‘no’ to impossible or inappropriate tasks isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s about time and logic. A timely ‘no’ can save everyone time and trouble. Remember, how you say ‘no’ matters. Be respectful, provide an explanation, and know when to deliver your ‘no’.

Now, let’s move to saying ‘yes’. A strong ‘yes’ isn’t about agreeing to everything. It’s about aligning with your mission and values. It’s about saying yes to things you can do well and can confidently deliver. Clear communication is key. To say ‘yes’ effectively, lay out a plan of action. What are the deliverables? What’s the timeline? What resources do you need? Once you understand these, share them with the requester. Make sure you both agree on the details.

Take charge of your professional life today! Try these tips out and see how much time they free up for you to work on important tasks.

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This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.