Saying no to the boss is not a bad look
Can you say no to your boss without damaging your reputation as a hard-working, committed employee? Career strategist and author Karen Adamedes believes so.
If you find it hard to say "no" and find yourself taking on a huge amount of work, like overseeing umpteen projects, as well as the office intern, and writing the annual report, then this advice is for you. Read Adamedes’ top tips for refusing your boss without using the dreaded "n" word.
“Most often when people ask you to do something it is because they want the task, done not necessarily because they need you specifically to do it,” Adamedes says.
“Be polite, respectful, as helpful as you can be and clear that you are saying no.”
She proposes some good solutions, such as finding alternatives or presenting a different way to get the task done that doesn’t involve you doing it.
“You don’t even have to say no. For instance, try saying ‘I am working on XYZ at the moment, however, Anne [an alternative person] has experience to help you out.’
“Or ask, ‘Have you considered getting this done by the marketing team? I know they have access to some great graphic tools that would make this so much better?’ That’s suggesting an alternative way of doing something.”
Another alternative to saying "no" is to negotiate the time frame so that the answer is not no, but "not right now."
“Be polite, respectful, as helpful as you can be and clear that you are saying no.”
For other tips about working better with your boss, check out our advice in:
News & Articles
Find out some of the ways you can reduce the presence and impact of stress in your work life.
Do you believe you have strong management skills or is there room for improvement? Rate your skills alongside others by reading the Australian Management Capability Index.
Australia's changing demographic does not only present challenges: it presents opportunities.
Whatever your reason for employing international workers, it is a good idea to come up with some effective management strategies.
Find out the big reasons staff are leaving their jobs - and how much it's costing organisations!
When it comes to running a successful business, it is important to know what your competitors are doing.
Innovating without purpose often leads businesses to short-lived successes with resources not deployed to their full potential.
The SAGE Handbook of Workplace Learning is an excellent introduction into the different theories and studies behind employee training and development.
Check out the most popular e-books from AIM's library for April 2013.
The Australian Institute of Management NSW & ACT (AIM) has today announced its acquisition of public sector leadership training organisation, Centre for Public Management Pty Ltd (CPM).
The Australian Institute of Management NSW & ACT (AIM) has announced its acquisition of public sector leadership training organisation, Centre for Public Management Pty Ltd (CPM).
Workplace wellbeing, or employee wellbeing, is a critical element in any engagement and performance initiative designed to boost an organisation’s productivity, and ultimately, success.
Yoga and meditation are now mainstream wellbeing practices increasingly employed by forward thinking organisations to caretake both staff and management.