|
November 2, 2015 Learn How to Say No to New AssignmentsMost of us say yes to requests and assignments without filtering them by what’s urgent, let alone what’s possible. We like saying yes to our superiors, but agreeing to do too many things leaves us overstressed and overworked. A better approach is to remember that saying no is critical to your, and the company’s, success. Being effective requires making tradeoffs. So remember that it’s OK to raise questions and push back on assignments, even if it’s scary to do. You can ask senior leaders whether a new assignment takes precedence over your other projects, or how a new task fits with the company’s priorities. Voicing your concerns ensures that senior leaders have fully thought through what they’re asking you to do. And it gives you a constructive way to say no to assignments that you just don’t have the bandwidth to take on. Adapted from “Stop Trying to Please Everyone,” by Ron Ashkenas and Matthew McCreight. |
FEATURED PRODUCTWhy Should Anyone Be Led by You?HBR Press BookIn this classic work on the art of leadership – now updated with a new Preface – authors Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones argue that leaders don’t become great by aspiring to a list of universal character traits. Rather, effective leaders are authentic: they deploy individual strengths to engage followers’ hearts, minds, and souls. This lively and practical book reveals how to hone and deploy unique leadership assets while managing the inherent tensions at the heart of successful leadership. Buy Now |
FEATURED PRODUCTFinancial Intelligence CollectionSpecial OfferMany managers can’t read a balance sheet, wouldn’t recognize a liquidity ratio, and don’t know how to calculate return on investment. This specially priced collection gives managers mastery of the financial basics they need to plan, budget, forecast, and control resources with confidence.Buy Now |
Copyright © 2015 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing 60 Harvard Way Boston, MA 02163 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-988-0886 (US/Canada) 1-617-783-7500 (outside the U.S. and Canada) |
No comments:
Post a Comment