This post is part of our biweekly "Office Hours" video series, featuring quick career, workplace and leadership tips from talent management experts and business leaders across the globe.
Saying "no" to a request to do something can feel unnatural, especially at work, where you want to jump at every opportunity and be known as a team player. "As young children and teens, we have had 'no' drummed out of us," says social psychologist Susan Newman, Ph.D. "We're taught to do what our parents say and what authority figures tell us."
Kirsten Helvey, COO at Cornerstone, understands from years of work in global operations how biting off more than you can chew impacts both individual career growth and company efficiency.
In this video, Helvey explains there's a simple rule you can follow to make the most of your time: "Say 'no' when 'yes' means it will impact the quality of your current work."
In dispelling the myth that you have to say "yes" to everything, Helvey outlines an approach that prioritizes your current work and your professional goals. At first it may feel a bit awkward, but if you turn down opportunities with transparency, truthfulness and authenticity, your boss will understand, and everyone—you, your company and other stakeholders—will be better off.
Photo: Creative Commons
Related Resources
Want to keep learning? Explore our products, customer stories, and the latest industry insights.
Blog Post
Tap into your team’s development by enabling their career
In today's job market, one roadblock organizations often deal with when trying to hold on to employees is a concept called “talent hoarding.” Talent hoarding occurs when a manager holds tightly to an employee because they view that person as an essential asset to their team. Losing this person would likely create a hole in the department that the manager may consider challenging or inconvenient to fill.
Customer Story
Why Leadership Development is Critical in Higher Ed
Founded over 150 years ago, Davenport University is based in Michigan. It is home to 7,000 students spread across ten campuses throughout the state, including a significant online presence as part of its global campus. Davenport’s Office of Performance Excellence currently has just six employees serving over 600 full- or part-time faculty and staff, plus 600 adjunct faculty.