There is a lot of research about how our perception of time has changed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some people experience time moving slowly. Others find that time is flying by. And many say they experience the day-to-day in slow motion, but that large chunks of time go by fast.
Not to mention that, for many of us, the increase in WFH multitasking and stress brought on by the pandemic has our brains feeling broken.
For leaders, this calls you to be even more intentional about how you focus your time and your energy. It calls you to actively align your time and your stated priorities. It requires you to say “no,” so that you can ensure that your time and energy are focused on their highest and best use.
“I can say no; I just can’t stop saying yes.” --ummmm…. me.
Often the problem is less about saying “no” to the requests that do not align to your priorities and more about inability to stop saying “yes.” Before you say “yes” to the next request, consider:
Can I add unique value? Am I just showing up to be seen or for ego-laden reasons?
How does this request match my strategic priorities?
What’s my time boundary to invest/spend on this?
If you can add unique value AND it matches your strategic priorities AND the time you invest will yield a productive result, great!
If not, you should probably decline. Here are some ways to say “no” while easing the requester’s fear of rejection:
Say “yes” to the person and “no” to the request.
What do you know about the person, their work, and their contribution that you can acknowledge? Lift up? Demonstrate appreciation and respect for?
“I like where you’re headed with this and know your experience with X will make the outcome so much richer than where it has landed in the past--it’s really important work. I can sure weigh in on a draft or offer my thoughts. Supporting you like that will help me with the strain on my calendar.”
What’s the “yes” you can offer?
Offer a brief, time-bound meeting where you can share your perspective and answer questions “I can name that tune in 9 minutes . . . .”
Blame your calendar.
“I really appreciate you wanting to include me, but my schedule is simply over-stuffed.”
“I am so excited about where you’re headed with this--is there another way to support your work that will be more understanding of the nightmare that is my calendar?”
As a leader, the ability to say “no” is essential, because boundaries are essential. It is earned by being a great leader of your people, building and strengthening your ongoing relationship with them, and being congruent with who you say you are.
Leading people is the important, urgent, and priority work. It is the beginning, middle, and end of your success--and your ability to say “no” in a caring way that leaves the person feeling more connected to you, rather than less, is an important marker of your success.
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Corey Jamison brings more than 30 years of experience partnering with executives and teams around the globe to drive dramatic, sustainable organizational transformation. She has worked with leaders at all levels of some of the largest brands, and offers a level of experience, acumen, partnership and courage that inspires leaders and teams toward the hard work of taking it to the next level.