Saying “no” to your superiors, peers and subordinates is one of the most challenging aspects of the modern workplace.

Everyone needs to say ‘no’ at some point but in doing so you could risk coming across as being disagreeable, disrespectful, or at worst dispensable to the people and the organisation. So learning to say ‘no’ in a constructive and assertive manner can help you in your career.

Declining to do what you’ve been asked to do needs some careful thought and planning, after all you still need to deliver on your own role and responsibilities and saying ‘no’ could affect these. Reasons for saying ‘no’ may be varied; either that the task risks your own performance, that you have very good reasons for disagreement, or for unethical or illegal reasons.

The key point is that you are very specific and clear about what the reasons are and that you get this across in a considered and professional manner.

Here are some guidelines that will help you say ‘no’ in a way that will not seem like an unreasonable refusal.
 

Build your good reputation
As an employee, you may have little say about the tasks being assigned by your superiors but don’t despair. You can prove your good work ethic, enthusiasm for the job, and willingness to learn by saying “yes” to as many jobs as you can handle, perhaps even a few more. You can, however, ask for guidance in the crucial aspects of the tasks and for assistance in workload prioritisation.

Basically, you must build your reputation as a reliable employee who will deliver. You will then have more leverage when you say “no” to certain tasks for valid reasons.
 

Ask before saying “no”
Before disagreeing to the tasks being offered by a superior or a peer, be sure to ask the right questions first. You have to completely understand what the tasks involve including the time frame, parameters of accomplishment, and impact of work, among others. You may even ask for a few hours or days to think about the tasks so that you can formulate valid reasons for your refusal, if and when you come to the decision.
 

Explain your reasons
If possible, you should avoid saying “no” without explaining your reasons for doing so. Your superior or colleague will likely appreciate your reasons for refusal and perhaps even provide assistance in your tasks. Your good communication skills will come in handy at this point.

For example, you can say that you are refusing the additional task because your quality of work will suffer in the process. You may also tell the other person about your future availability or your ability to provide partial assistance on the task.
 

Offer an alternative
Your ability to say “no” in a constructive manner also hinges on your ability to propose alternative solutions. In a way, you are still providing assistance for the other person without actually putting your entire physical energy and mental effort into the additional task. You are still being a team player, thus, contributing your share into the achievement of team goals.

For example, you can offer assistance on a job-related aspect. You will still be doing your main tasks yet also doing something for the team.
 

Personally say it
While emails, chats and calls may be convenient, you can soften the blow, so to speak, by saying it in a face-to-face manner. Your email or chat may have undertones that the receiver can misunderstand and having caused the wrong impression will be very difficult to get back on the level you want to be.

Your refusal at work for certain tasks will not be easy but when you can deal with it in a professional manner, it becomes easier.

"Getting your message across is all important for your career" -
8 tips on how to do this when everyone else is talking

Meetings come in many forms and guises; there are those which are formal, incredibly well organised, everyone knows their place and is given floor-time equally or proportionately and then there are the more informal, disorganised meetings which appear to be more like free-for-alls.

Whichever of these you attend you know that in order for your career to progress you need to participate. After all it's a dog-eat-dog world and if you sit on the side lines like a wall flower you're not going to notch-up any brownie points. In fact non-participation is often viewed as a failing, a weakness, a chink in your armour.

So how do you make your voice heard when everyone else is talking? Here are 8 tips to help you get your message across.

Grab air space when you can

Air space, or floor-time, is the crux of the matter. When everyone is talking over each other this chaos may seem impenetrable; as soon as there's a lapse in the conversation, no matter how small, grab the air space. Stand up if necessary so that everyone knows you've got the floor.

Use body language

Use positive body language to show that you have something to say. Shy away or stare out of the window and you'll be ignored. Look at the speaker, raise your eyebrows if you don't agree or are surprised at what they're saying, they might then ask for your thoughts giving you the opportunity to have your say.

Make a statement

Sometimes being tactful isn't the way to go. Making a bold statement such as “I've got a very different opinion on that” in a very loud voice may just silence your colleagues for that split second you need to grab the air space.

Pump up the volume

In disorganised, rowdy meetings it's acceptable for you to pump up the volume as much as the next person, within reason, just as long as conversations don't end up as shouting matches. Raise your voice in a polite, but authoritative manner; showing your assertiveness may gain you recognition as having good leadership skills.

Be succinct

Once you've got your air space and the floor-time be succinct; get your point or message across as quickly as you can, because someone else could interrupt and start talking across you within a very short space of time.

Start a side conversation

Often disorganised meetings have a tendency to break into sub groups. Take the lead and begin a side conversation with others who look as if they're being left out of the main discussion. Again this will show good leadership skills, it will also show that you have good awareness and social skills. However, make sure that the conversation you start is in-keeping with the topic of the meeting.

Use good social skills and assist others

You can also use your good social skills to assist others who appear to be struggling with the chaos. Say in a loud voice “what are your thoughts on that?” to encourage them to join in. You do need to be tactful when assisting others as you may be seen as interfering or playing mother-hen to those who would rather do things their own way and in their own time.

Repetition, repetition, repetition

You could try the age old trick of repetition. By repeating your opening statement over and over again until you're heard or taken notice of may seem a little out-dated but sometimes the oldest tricks actually work.

The next time you're in a meeting and it feels like you're trying to cross a busy motorway at commuter time just to get your voice heard, don't stand startled by the headlights like a rabbit, judge when the time is right, put your best foot forward and go for it.

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