Saying no can feel impossible when you're a people pleaser. Maybe you’re trying to gain someone’s approval or avoid letting them down. No one wants to seem uncooperative, even when they’re drowning in ...

Saying no doesn’t make you lazy or difficult. Saying no to the things that aren’t the best use of your time frees you up to do the things that are important. (Think “office housework” versus ...

I remember the first time I had the opportunity to say it in a professional setting. I was in my mid-20s, working as a manager. Our team was in the middle of a major campaign, and my boss asked if I ...

Many people have had moments at work where they’ve been asked to do something they don’t necessarily want to do. The ping of a late-day email asking you to “quickly” pitch in on a last-minute task.

Instead of jumping directly to “no,” explain to the client how accepting the new project could compromise the quality of your deliverables. Decline projects that don’t align with your strategic vision ...