How to say ‘no’ to someone

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!