HBR IdeaCast

The Subtle Art of Saying No

5 snips
Sep 22, 2020
Bruce Tulgan, founder and CEO of RainmakerThinking and author of "The Art of Being Indispensable at Work," shares invaluable insights on strategic decision-making. He emphasizes that career success isn’t just about saying yes but also knowing when to say no. Listeners learn to evaluate requests, prioritize important tasks, and communicate decisions effectively. Tulgan discusses the emotional struggle of overcommitment and the importance of establishing work boundaries to enhance productivity and professional relationships.
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ADVICE

Proving Your Value

  • Prove your value in the workplace, especially during times of crisis.
  • Say yes strategically to demonstrate your worth and avoid disappointing others, but be mindful of overcommitting.
INSIGHT

The Danger of Yes

  • Saying yes constantly leads to overcommitment, frustration, and ultimately, poor performance.
  • This can cause a "siege mentality," where you start saying no indiscriminately due to overwhelm, not strategic thinking.
ADVICE

Strategic Yeses and Nos

  • Each poorly chosen "yes" prevents a better "yes" and a well-timed "no" allows for a more impactful "yes."
  • Prioritize your "yeses" strategically for maximum impact.
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