The document outlines strategies for effectively saying 'no' to requests while maintaining focus on personal goals and responsibilities. It emphasizes the importance of reflection, preparation, and assertiveness in decision-making to avoid overcommitting and to stay aligned with one’s core mission. The text presents nine smart strategies for managing such requests, advocating for a thoughtful and empathetic approach to communication.

1. SMART STRATEGIES
WHY
9 andTO SAY “NO”
By Abdurrahman Q. AlQahtani

2. Learning how to say “No” is part of success
it’s sometimes hard to understand WHY and
HOW to effectively say it.
BUT
Learning to Say “No” Is Part of Success by Ed Batista (HBR)

3. To learn to say “No” you need to
ADMIT IT PRACTICE IT&

4. ADMIT IT
Why do you tend to say “Yes” ?!
Excitement
for the call of
help
Fear of losing
opportunities
Embarrassment
for turning others
down
Willing to
prove
yourself
So you jump to saying “yes” simply to Please yourself or others!

5. ADMIT IT
Distraction from your
core mission
You have limited time
and resources
Being the
“Jack of all trades,
Master of none”
so simply shrinking the window of achieving what you really should do!
Why would you sometimes regret saying “Yes” ?!

6. PRACTICE IT
Well Before During After
Be Reflective
Be Prepared
Be Futuristic
Be Conservative
Be Opportunistic
Be Assertive
Be Authentic
Be Creative
Be Empathetic
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9
7
2
3
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6
> >
with the following 9 smart strategies

7. WELL BEFORE
the request comes in
and the moment of
thinking and deciding
whether to say “yes”
or “no” …

8. REFLECTIVEBe and
This will help you understand how much more you can take on!
1
Reflect and plan
your agenda
What fills your
schedule?
What makes you
busy?
deeply understand what stuffs your agenda

9. PREPAREDBe and
This will prepare you to decide to (or not to) answer a request
2
Don’t wait for the moment
where you cannot decide
Keep your
mission on
check
Have a simple
qualification check
for opportunities
clarify you mission and priorities

10. FUTURISTICBe and
This will help others how to approach you and for what kind of asks
3
Highlight your roles &
responsibilities
Talk about
your work
Talk about your
interests
advertise your work and agenda

11. DURING
the moment of
request where you’re
about to say “yes”
or “no” …

12. CONSERVATIVEBe and
This will equip you with the needed time and resources to fulfill
4
Ask for resources
to help you with the
request
Have it on your
own terms
Clarify consequences on
what you do now
gracefully & conditionally say “yes”

13. OPPORTUNISTICBe and
This will enable you to expand on worlds beyond your own
5
Realign it with your
own mission and
priorities
From a request
to an
opportunity
Exploit for your
own (good)
agenda
reframe the request to serve your work

14. ASSERTIVEBe and
This will help others to accept the fact and plan alternatives timely
6
Don’t drag, but rather
say it fast
When deeply sure
you should say no
Do it with a great
attitude of
assertiveness
kindly & firmly say “no”

15. AFTER
the moment where
you’ve said “no” …

16. AUTHENTICBe and
This will help others to understand: it is “no” this time only!
7
Deeply show
your regret
Express your
gratitude for being
approached
Remind others of your
mission and priorities
deeply & genuinely explain “why no”

17. CREATIVEBe and
This will raise the odds that you will still be approached next time
8
Channel the request to
someone who can (or
should!)
Show that you
want to help
Give
recommendations
along the way
give alternative solutions and channels

18. EMPATHETICBe and
This will help you keep the bridge in case “no” was a hard answer
9
Remotely observe the
requester and the request
Even if you
have said NO
Connect and check
on progress
follow up and show that you care

19. this is not about brutally saying “NO!”
neither about recklessly saying “YES!”
REMEMBER

20. it’s about being prepared, choosing a
smart answer, and having the right
attitude and commitment
Happy and mindful decisions!

21. Background photo by mayanais, and colors credit goes to addabarrios
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Abdurrahman Q. AlQahtani - Consultant and Coach - aq@knowledge-passion.com