How to Politely Say No at Work

Does the thought of saying "no" at work make you break out in a sweat, too? If the answer is yes, you're far from the only one.

I often teach my clients how to say “no” in a way that enhances their professional image. Many people believe that being professional means always saying yes when it’s needed at work.

I don't think so. Let's look at it this way. Imagine you own a small store, and a customer comes in with 150 kroner. This customer wants to buy goods totaling 250 kroner. It wouldn’t be professional to give away 100 kroner just because the customer can’t afford everything they want, right? Nor would it be customer-oriented to refuse to help the customer. In such a case, it would be professional to find out what the customer needs, what they can get for 150 kroner, and help them prioritize so they get the most important items.

The same applies in any other workplace. Saying “no” as a professional means explaining that it’s something that’s beyond your time constraints—but that you’d be happy to suggest a suitable alternative.

If you try to personally make up for the lack of resources, you’ll only end up feeling drained. If you simply say, “No, I can’t do that,” your manager or coworkers will easily feel frustrated or disappointed. Using your expertise, you should help your manager figure out how you and the team can find the best solution to complete the task that you’re declining to take on.

Remember: You don't need more time or energy to thrive in your work life or advance your career; you just need to use the time you have strategically.