Just Say No

Problems with people-pleasing

As leaders, we have many demands on our time.

If we agree to do everything people ask us to do, we end up overloaded. And when we are overloaded, we don’t have the time to devote to the things only we can do, and the things that are the real priorities.

So, what’s a people-pleaser to do?

Learn to say, “Sorry, I don’t have time for that right now.” People understand that.

Prioritize. “If it’s okay to push back the deadline on X to the 25th, I will have time for this other thing you’re asking me to do. Would that work?”

Delegate or volunteer others. “I’m swamped this week, but Hank is good at this type of work. You might want to see if he has time for it.”

Grow your people and share the load. You get competent team-members who can take on part of the workload, and they get professional training and experience that helps them advance in their careers. Win-win.

(Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash)