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Take Control by Speaking up At Work
June 28, 2023
In the workplace, saying “yes” comes naturally when asked to complete a task, join a meeting, or take on a new project. But saying yes is only sometimes realistic. Even when our proverbial plate is full, we struggle to decline to take on more responsibilities. Why do we do this to ourselves? It might be for self-preservation, being a team player, or simply because we don’t know how to say no.
Saying no at work is almost like an art form. We must know how to project empathy and sincerity while protecting our mental health all in one breath. We examine different scenarios of declining more work and examples of how to say no politely and professionally.
Take Control and Own Your Space
At work, it can be challenging to control your days. Work can be chaotic, from your primary responsibilities to meetings, emails, and unexpected problems. But taking control of what you can and owning your space is essential.
When we strategically share our ideas, problem-solve or speak up during team meetings, we “own our space.” Owning your space is being seen and heard at work. When we own our space, we can find the courage to say no to additional workloads that bog us down and deteriorate our mental health.
Speaking to Your Boss
Declining tasks or projects requested by your boss is no easy endeavor and must be done with delicacy and couth.
Of course, bluntly saying “no” is not an option. Instead, delve into the specifics of the request. Discover the priority level of the task and the deadline. Using this information, share your current workload with your boss and ask for assistance in prioritizing the new task with your current responsibilities. By having this discussion, you illustrate your heavy workload, which will help soften the blow of saying “no.” Consider asking your boss if someone else might be available if you can extend the deadline or find a different way that you can assist in completing the request.
Verbalize it:
“This sounds like an exciting project, but I currently have XYZ that I was assigned to complete. Should I forgo one of those projects to complete this new one?”
“I would love to join this meeting. However, I do have some deadlines to meet. Is it possible for me to read the meeting notes instead?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have the bandwidth for this right now. Is it possible to ask my colleague?”
Opening Up to Your Colleagues
It’s a bit different saying “no” to colleagues than bosses. We don’t have the constraints of self-preservation, but we still should strive to be team players.
In the instance of declining more workload from a colleague, you can be more direct but ensure that you remain respectful and helpful. Avoid saying things like “That’s not in my job description” or “No.” Instead, have your colleague elaborate on the request. You might know someone who can better assist them or find that you can quickly give some insight or information to help them complete the request independently.
Verbalize It:
“I’m honored that you thought of me; however, my workload is already full. Can I help you find another person to assist you?”
“Thank you for thinking of me, but I have deadlines to meet, so I’m unable to take on my work at this time. Can I assist you at another time?
“Unfortunately, I’m not the right person for this task as I’m not qualified.”
“My apologies; I am already committed to multiple projects and don’t have the bandwidth to assist you on this one.”
Protect Your Space
Protecting your space means saying no when you know it will affect your mental health and increase your stress or when it’s impossible. Burnout is real and is a form of exhaustion resulting in decreased productivity, and the more workload we take on, the more likely we are to burn out at work.
At Innova, we can help you find the best culture fit for your needs. Our well-established client relationships allow us to gain insight into leadership styles and organizational values. Connect with one of our many tenured recruiters to learn more.
