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Under what circumstances do you say "no" to work?

by Theresa Christine Johnson on 01/18/2017 | 2 Minute Read

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A lot of the time, people make New Year’s resolutions to do better and to do more in hopes of becoming an improved version of themselves. But could saying “no” be the secret to flourishing on the job?

Nobody particularly enjoys telling a boss or prospective client “no”—it can create an uncomfortable dynamic in the workplace or feel like the equivalent of kissing those sweet dollar bills goodbye before you’ve even had the chance to hold them. But as Ron Ashkenas and Matthew McCreight mention in Stop Trying to Please Everyone, “What’s worth remembering is that learning how to 'get to no' is critical for both your success and your company’s. Organizational effectiveness requires tradeoffs. Managers are responsible for addressing which ones to make when new assignments are doled out. They are not responsible for pleasing everyone.” Effectively declining work as a freelancer has its benefits as well, preventing situations where you’re spread thin, not creating your best work, or simply working with a client you don’t actually like that much.

So tell us: under what circumstances do you turn down work? How have you approached saying “no” to your boss or a client in the past? What results (both good and bad) have come from it? Comment below or join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter.