How to say ‘no’ to someone without damaging the working relationship
YesNoPerhapsMaybe
Facilitator: Alex Watson
Session Outline….
Introductions /Presentation (5 mins)
Activity (5 mins)
Presentation (5 mins)
Activity/Close (5 mins)
Objectives….
Confidence
Consistency
Clarity
Objectives
Objectives….
By the end of the session you will be able to:
1. Identify 2 occasions where you said yes when no would have been more appropriate
2. Reframe those situations by providing alternative responses
By doing the activities requested by your facilitator
What precedes no?
Listen to the request
Do not interrupt the speaker.
Transfer Ownership of your refusal to someone else
E.g. "I can, but my schedule is booked now. How about some other time?" You don't have to explain further. This deflects any resentment they might have towards your schedule.
Don’t feel obligated to explain
You may have reasons you don’t wish to discuss. If so try saying something like, “I'm just not able to.” If you must…. change the subject, or say, "I'm sorry, but I need to go.”
Explain simply and only if you wish to do so
If the case really is one that you feel
okay explaining, make your explanation as simple as possible.
Examine why you find it difficult to say no
Examine your motives for saying ‘yes’
If the requestor does not want to accept your answer, tell him or her that your mind is made up and that
you will not change it
Stand Firm
Place more value on the word ‘no’
If I’d agreed to switch to black against my better
judgment..I’d never have won the jackpot!
hope he don’t forget
it was me who told him
to trust his instinct!
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