Chapter 4

With the boss, say no, or name the trade-off?

Với sếp, nói không hay hỏi đổi lấy gì?

The chapter's question

What option do I give my boss instead of a flat no?

Big idea

With a boss, asking what to trade for what works better than saying no.

In this chapter

  1. Part 4.1

    Swap, Don't Add

    If the new work comes in, which work does the boss want taken out?

  2. Part 4.2

    The Midnight Idea

    How do I respond to ideas sent out of hours?

  3. Part 4.3

    Senior Colleagues

    How do I say no to an older department head while staying respectful?

  4. Part 4.4

    When the Boss Insists

    If the boss decides to do it anyway, how do I record the trade-off?

The reading for this chapter is inside Conan School

This chapter has 4 readings, with case stories and exercises. Chapter 1 of The Polite No is free to read right here.

Read in Conan School

Chapters of The Polite No

  1. 1.Every time I say yes, who hears no?
  2. 2.Is it my no, or the team's rule?
  3. 3.Can you say no and still make people feel heard?
  4. 4.With the boss, say no, or name the trade-off?
  5. 5.After I say no, will they still be honest?