As leaders, it is tempting to believe we must be everything to everyone. When presented with an opportunity or request, many of us are quick to say “yes.” After all, what if we let someone down or miss a valuable chance?
However, this mindset can be advantageous as well as dangerous. When we are inundated with tasks and requests, we must be careful about what to accept and what to reject. Smart selectivity will prevent burnout and allow us to be successful in what we do say “yes” to.
The skill of well-reasoned rejection is important for everyone, not just leaders. However, for those in leadership, it is especially crucial to define boundaries and carefully consider every request. Here are five times to say “no” as a leader:
1. When you are overwhelmed
It is rarely a good idea to accept new tasks or assignments when you are already overloaded. While you may convince yourself into thinking you can handle more, it is important to be realistic about what you can actually accomplish with the time you have. More importantly, accepting tasks and later backing out will show more weakness than simply declining the request in the first place. Remember: quality over quantity.
2. When you can delegate tasks
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can—or should—do everything by yourself. You have team members for a reason. Just because you’re the leader doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Look for opportunities to delegate tasks to others, not as a cop-out but as a way to distribute work fairly and productively. More importantly, find ways to draw out the unique talents of your team by assigning tasks with thought and consideration.
3. When the proposal does not match your purpose
Sometimes, the request or opportunity simply does not align with your team’s focus. This does not mean it’s not a good option or that it won’t be later on. Timing is an important factor to consider. For example, will this proposal meet the needs of your company right now? Will it contribute to your goals? Or will it be an unnecessary distraction? Consider these questions before giving your response.
4. When you have a short time to make a big decision
Under time pressure, it can be easy to make less-than-ideal decisions. The stress of a strict deadline can impair our ability to consider what is really best for us and our teams. When making a big decision under a tight timeline, try requesting an extension. If you simply don’t have time to consider all aspects, consider saying “no.” This will save you time and stress in the long run, and you never know when another opportunity—maybe even better—will come along.
5. When your motive is just to please others
In our effort to be friendly and helpful, we may be tempted to accept an assignment or task just for the sake of pleasing others. Some of us may say “yes” without a second thought. While seemingly benign, this mindset can be harmful to both our personal and professional well-being. For example, if we base our decisions on the needs of others without considering whether we can realistically accomplish the task, we risk hurting ourselves and the quality of our work. Ultimately, people-pleasing is almost guaranteed to result in a lose-lose outcome.
To be a healthy and productive leader, it’s important to measure new requests and opportunities against your current workload and ultimate purpose. These are just five good examples of when you might want to consider saying “no.” How will you apply these strategies to your decision-making process?