On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
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Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#2It's a persuasive article, and I appreciate the point being made. An important part was that he thought about his decisions, and when he decided the answer was no, that's what he delivered. He didn't always say no, but when it was appropriate, he made sure he did say it.
The last section tied it up well, however. You have to know when to stop. You have to apply intelligence.
It requires thought, as well as discipline and persistence.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#3"But when he really did ask if he and a couple of buddies could have a few beers at my house, I just said no. No follow-up, no prevarication, no buddying up for a sympathy injection."
While I see the purpose of a clear 'No', in some cases, it just seems like it's rather jerkish even if said in a nice tone. How hard is it to say instead, "No, and that is final; my reason is such and such, just so that you know"? I know that I would be accepting of the latter answer, but questioning of a pure "No", since it would seem as though he was just being instantly judgemental.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#4The title get's it right. "No" is about power.
I prefer "yes", which is less about power and more about getting things done.
Interesting article. Will I ignore OP's advice and keep doing what I always have?
Yes.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#5" But when he really did ask if he and a couple of buddies could have a few beers at my house, I just said no. No follow-up, no prevarication, no buddying up for a sympathy injection. " While I see the purpose of a clear 'No', in some cases, it just seems like it's rather jerkish even if said in a nice tone. How hard is it to say instead, "No, and that is final; my reason is such and such, just so that you know"? I k…
Read to the end of the article, context matters.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#6The title get's it right. "No" is about power. I prefer "yes", which is less about power and more about getting things done. Interesting article. Will I ignore OP's advice and keep doing what I always have? Yes.
On the getting things done. In the company where I did internship last year there was completely different attitude. People were urged to use "Yes, if..." instead of "No, because...". Not surprisingly this is the most successful EDA company.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#7The title get's it right. "No" is about power. I prefer "yes", which is less about power and more about getting things done. Interesting article. Will I ignore OP's advice and keep doing what I always have? Yes.
On the getting things done. In the company where I did internship last year there was completely different attitude. People were urged to use "Yes, if..." instead of "No, because...". Not surprisingly this is the most successful EDA company.
On the contrary, no to superfluous bullshit is a powerful tool for getting stuff done. Someone I know likes to just say I'm bored now and walk out of pointless meetings.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
On the getting things done. In the company where I did internship last year there was completely different attitude. People were urged to use "Yes, if..." instead of "No, because...". Not surprisingly this is the most successful EDA company.
On the contrary, no to superfluous bullshit is a powerful tool for getting stuff done. Someone I know likes to just say I'm bored now and walk out of pointless meetings.
Well, "I'm bored now" hasn't come up, but I sure have said "I don't think I'm contributing to this meeting anymore" and walked out. Fortunately, that gets light bonus points for me with my boss, which makes it easier.
Also, remember that phrasing; even without my particular boss that is likely to make a point with any sensibly-business-minded boss.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#9The subtler point of this article is that a simple no is a good test of your authority- service personnel, students, people he had power over; they had to except his "no." Girlfriend? Not so much.
The power in question isn't the added power of using the word- it's the way the word reveals the power dynamics at play. He didn't gain more authority by using the word; the word revealed to him his authority and its limits.
Re: On Saying No - The Power of Simply Answering, "No."
#10A "No" could have prevented http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia_disaster