One of the more important work lessons is to be someone who knows how to say no.
Every once in a while, you will see a horrible idea being proposed. When that happens, you need to be unequivocally clear that your answer is a “no way.”
In all the other cases, the goal isn’t to shut an idea down with a “no”. It’s to help others understand what it would take to get to yes, and to help them get there.
It’s an easily forgotten truth: the job isn’t about pointing out why something won’t work. It’s about using critical thinking and healthy skepticism to strengthen the eventual solution.
Saying no is easy.
Helping someone get to a better yes – that’s leadership.
