Saying ‘no’ in your workplace can be a messy task. But it is something that needs to be done! If you don’t have the time for something, you don’t. There is no other way around it. Although saying a ‘no’ frequently is not appreciated, once in a while, it is completely okay that you decline something. The most important thing that you need to keep in mind is that, at times like these, it is essential that you communicate assertively while maintaining a respectful tone. The biggest ability you need to master is ‘How to say no’ without sounding rude. Saying a ‘no’ can be quite challenging because of the perceived repercussions. You might be afraid of what they would think of you or your response.
This is a natural feeling, something a lot of people have experienced. It might be unsettling, but the wisest and kind thing to do is to just say a ‘no’.
When is it appropriate to say no?
Another question that could come to your mind is “When is it appropriate to say no?” Here are some scenarios for you-
- This might be extremely obvious, but there’s no other way around saying a ‘no’ if you have a heavy workload already. Even if you did accept the additional work there is no way you will be able to finish it on time. Thus, try to communicate your packed schedule and explain why you are refusing.
- Your personal life and well-being matter too. Hence you can refuse to take up additional work to maintain personal boundaries and differentiate your professional and personal lives. You deserve to take breaks and spend time with your family.
- Your health could play another factor in why you can’t take up more work. If you’re feeling unwell or dealing with personal health issues that affect your ability to perform tasks, it’s essential to prioritize your well-being and communicate the same.
- If you feel you clearly lack the skill set or expertise that is needed to get the task done, then it is only sensible to decline the opportunity until you are better equipped to take it up.
There are some companies that hire you for a particular role but they end up making you work those tasks that are clearly outside your job description and salary. Thus, you can always refuse a task that you find to be outside your job description. Doing this will also help you set certain boundaries that will prevent people from taking advantage.
How to say no?
Now that we’ve talked about the kind of situations where it is perfectly okay to say ‘no’, the next thing we need to look at is how to say ‘no’. Here are some things you can keep in mind, to make sure you know how to refuse an additional task at your workplace-
1/9 Saying a no 1-0-1 is to be polite and respectful.
Try to be mindful of the language you use when you are declining. There is a fine line difference between “I can’t do it before the deadline” and “I wish I could, but I don’t think I’ll have the time to complete the task within the given timeframe.” This is the fine line that decides whether you burn the bridge or they know you are being genuine.
2/9 Along with being polite, you need to be appreciative too!
Express your gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity or the person’s request. This will help to set a positive tone in your refusal thus making it less likely that the other person will take your no personally. Instead of saying “I don’t think I can do it” you could try saying “I’m glad that I was considered, but my schedule doesn’t allow me to take the task up.” Do you see the difference in the tone that both these statements set and put across?
3/9 Moving ahead, you need to remember to use the word ‘I’.
Saying “I don’t think I have the time” is extremely different from saying “This task can’t be done”. The usage of the ‘I’ would make it more about your schedule and capacity and won’t look like you are criticising the task, the person, or the fact that it was offered to you.
4/9 Another thing you can try is the Sandwich Method.
This basically involves adding the refusal between two positive statements. It can go something like this “Hey, I know this task is of great importance. I understand your requirement, but I don’t think I have enough time to get it done before the deadline with the accuracy you need. Once my workload reduces, I’ll be glad to help you out if there’s anything at that point!” When you pair a refusal with positive statements it tends to soften the blow.
5/9 This may not be applicable in all situations, but you can try giving an explanation for your refusal.
The most used reason is the busy schedule, but sometimes there are other personal factors that play a role in you not being able to accept additional tasks. For example, your health conditions couldn’t let you take up additional work because it can add to your stress, or maybe you have a family emergency that you know wouldn’t let you allot as much time to the task as it needs. So instead of doing a mediocre job at completing the task, you might as well turn it down so that someone else can do the job with the precision that is needed.
As mentioned before, this can be used only in certain situations and with certain tasks. You can try using this with your boss or co-worker with whom you have a genuine relationship because it shows that you have a legitimate reason outside work because of which you are refusing and you know they will understand.
6/9 Another thing you need to keep in mind when you are saying ‘no’ at your workplace is that sometimes it is okay to say “I’ll get back to you”.
The reason this can work is that it will give the impression that you have thought your decision through. Not everyone can take a ‘no’ immediately and directly. Since you have an understanding of the person who is making the request, sometimes you will find it better to say “I’ll get back to you” rather than saying “No” immediately. This again can vary from person to person and situation to situation. On the flip side, it can also be useful to you as it will give you some time as well to articulate yourself better so that you are polite and cordial in your refusal. Keep in mind to not procrastinate too much. This would cause additional problems. Hence, even as you take your time, make sure you give a reply before it’s too late.
7/9 As we all know, there are some people who can’t take a ‘no’ for an answer!
Even after you refuse they would ask you to be accommodative. In such a situation, you need to be firm. Not aggressive, but firm. Use your words carefully so that you get your point across assertively and confidently.
8/9 This may not be as overt as the others, but your body language plays a role in how your image is presented when you are trying to say a ‘no’.
There is a difference in the impact you make if you are maintaining eye contact and using the right tone and modulation. Be mindful.
9/9 Another major tip that many people tend to forget is when NOT to say no.
You need to analyze what the consequences will be if you say no. If you feel like the outcome of it is far worse than you saying a yes, then it is only sensible to say a yes.
Above all this, you always have the option of suggesting a later time. This works best with a person who is pushy. You can always say something like “Hey, I might not be able to get onto the task immediately, but if that’s okay I can always work on it once my schedule is free. All I need is an extension on the deadline.” They are either okay with it and you get yourself some time, or they’ll finally back off since they too are in a time crunch. It’s a win-win for you!
Want to refuse via Email?
If you are trying to say ‘no’ professionally, via email these can scenarios can help you out-
“The deadline has been pushed to Monday. Can you please work over the weekend to finish the presentation?”
“Thank you for informing me of this. I believe this task will take at least 6 hours to complete. I have my sister’s birthday this weekend which I have promised to help organise. My family will be quite mad if I do not put away the laptop as I have constantly been prioritising work over spending time with them. I understand we do have to work over weekends at times and I have no problem with that. But do you think it’s possible that for this time since I have already made plans to be with my family, we can hand the task to another team?”
“The other team is extremely burdened. Can you help them out as they need extra help?”
“Thank you for the opportunity. I can definitely help the other team out. However, I am currently working on X project. This is taking majority of my time today. Doing both of them simultaneously might be challenging as the deadline for my current project is tomorrow. Can you help me prioritise which task shall I pay more focus towards?”
Check this out, to see more templates on how to refuse something or someone professionally via email.
How to start saying no?
The reason for saying ‘no’ at a workplace is a difficult task for many is that from a young age we are trained to think that it is a rude thing to refuse anything. We tend to carry that forward and believe saying a ‘no’ will make us look like a bad person.
Here are some things you can keep in mind the next time you have the opportunity, and you want to start saying a ‘no’ confidently and assertively-
- First and foremost, ask for some time. This will give you the time to articulate yourself so that you can be confident when you are saying a ‘no’.
- Start rationalizing with yourself and ask yourself about your priorities. If you do say a ‘yes’ you are giving up on something else like your free time, time with your family, or even sleep. Do you think accepting the additional work is worth that?
- Start practicing assertiveness. Being able to say a ‘no’ is not something you can learn overnight. It is going to take time. But being assertive and people accepting your refusal go hand-in-hand.
- Don’t go above and beyond to say sorry for refusing to take up the task. This will give the other person the leeway to try and convince you to take the task up.
Learning to say ‘no’ is a hard task. But it is something that needs to be done so that you set boundaries for yourself and the people you care about in your life. Once you start saying ‘no’ you will understand not everyone perceives it in a negative way, and that it is okay to do it for the right reasons. Every once in a while you might catch yourself not being able to say ‘no’, and that’s okay. Saying ‘no’ is a skill that will take time for you to nurture. Hence, be patient with yourself while you start saying ‘no’.
Conclusion
In the end, just remember it’s okay to say a ‘no’. You don’t have to get the task done at the expense of your personal time and health. So, don’t feel guilty when saying ‘no’. You can’t possibly please everyone, so it’s okay to put a foot down for yourself once in a while. Even if you did go above and beyond to get the task done, there is no guarantee that the other person would do the same for you when you ask for a favor. Make sure you can depend on the person to cover for you, if necessary if you are doing the same for them. This is applicable outside your workplace too!
In saying a ‘no’ you realize how important it is to be able to communicate effectively. To know more about why effective communication is extremely essential in your workplace, check this out.
As you see, the way you present yourself and the language you use are important in messy situations like saying ‘no’ at your workplace. To improve your communication skills and public speaking capabilities, check out our communication coaching programs!
