As a busy executive, you have a lot of demands on your time. There are meetings, projects, lunches with the boss, and charity dinners. You can't possibly do everything you are asked to do and still get positive results for your company. You need to determine which things are important and which aren't-and you need to learn to say no to the things that aren't.
Attending an executive time management training course is a good way to develop the skills you need to prioritize your tasks and goals. But if you don't have time for a time management course, these seven strategies for saying no will help get you started.
1. Don't say maybe.
If you want to say no, say no. Maybe will give the person asking false hope, and you will end up having to say no sooner or later so why not do it now? Think about what happens when you tell your kids maybe. They keep pestering you until they get an answer. Employees and co-workers can be the same way. Don't put off the inevitable. Say no right away and get it over with.
2. Recommend someone else.
If you're not the best person for the job, say so. Give them the name of a person who may be able to help them. In addition to keeping your schedule free for more important things, the task will be done in a more efficient and effective manner when it is done by someone whose skills are a better match for the job.
3. Prepare ahead of time.
There are probably things you get asked to do repeatedly that you would rather not do. What are they? Have a response ready so that next time you are asked to help plan the company picnic, you know what to say.
4. Suggest something else.
Instead of an hour-long Power Point presentation that will take several hours to prepare, can you accomplish the same result with a shorter, more informal approach? If you are trying to impress a client, by all means put together a top-notch presentation, but for an internal team meeting it may not be necessary.
5. Tell them you can do it later.
Perhaps your schedule is full right now, but you could fit it in next week, next month, or next year. They may or may not be willing to wait, but by giving them the alternative, you put the ball back in their court. Now they can decide whether to find someone else for this project or let you fit it into your schedule when you actually have time.
6. Give them a reason.
Tell them why you can't do it in a concise and matter-of-fact way. For example, you could say, "I'm sorry, but I just don't have time for that," or, "I don't know how to do that. Can you find someone else?"
7. Don't give a reason.
Don't feel like you always need to have an excuse. Most of the time, it's perfectly acceptable to "just say no."
There are very few things as important as time management for executives. Training classes, books, and seminars are great ways to improve your skills in this area. Effectively managing your time allows you to focus on the things that will get you the best results and help you improve the bottom line in your department.
Joel Garfinkle runs an executive coaching business as well as an outplacement firm specializing in executive job search. He has worked with thousands of executives, and he's ready to work for you too-providing one-on-one executive coaching to help you get ahead at work. For more information, visit his website at http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com.
By Joel Garfinkle
Attending an executive time management training course is a good way to develop the skills you need to prioritize your tasks and goals. But if you don't have time for a time management course, these seven strategies for saying no will help get you started.
1. Don't say maybe.
If you want to say no, say no. Maybe will give the person asking false hope, and you will end up having to say no sooner or later so why not do it now? Think about what happens when you tell your kids maybe. They keep pestering you until they get an answer. Employees and co-workers can be the same way. Don't put off the inevitable. Say no right away and get it over with.
2. Recommend someone else.
If you're not the best person for the job, say so. Give them the name of a person who may be able to help them. In addition to keeping your schedule free for more important things, the task will be done in a more efficient and effective manner when it is done by someone whose skills are a better match for the job.
3. Prepare ahead of time.
There are probably things you get asked to do repeatedly that you would rather not do. What are they? Have a response ready so that next time you are asked to help plan the company picnic, you know what to say.
4. Suggest something else.
Instead of an hour-long Power Point presentation that will take several hours to prepare, can you accomplish the same result with a shorter, more informal approach? If you are trying to impress a client, by all means put together a top-notch presentation, but for an internal team meeting it may not be necessary.
5. Tell them you can do it later.
Perhaps your schedule is full right now, but you could fit it in next week, next month, or next year. They may or may not be willing to wait, but by giving them the alternative, you put the ball back in their court. Now they can decide whether to find someone else for this project or let you fit it into your schedule when you actually have time.
6. Give them a reason.
Tell them why you can't do it in a concise and matter-of-fact way. For example, you could say, "I'm sorry, but I just don't have time for that," or, "I don't know how to do that. Can you find someone else?"
7. Don't give a reason.
Don't feel like you always need to have an excuse. Most of the time, it's perfectly acceptable to "just say no."
There are very few things as important as time management for executives. Training classes, books, and seminars are great ways to improve your skills in this area. Effectively managing your time allows you to focus on the things that will get you the best results and help you improve the bottom line in your department.
Joel Garfinkle runs an executive coaching business as well as an outplacement firm specializing in executive job search. He has worked with thousands of executives, and he's ready to work for you too-providing one-on-one executive coaching to help you get ahead at work. For more information, visit his website at http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com.
By Joel Garfinkle
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