Saying no to a request can be difficult, especially when this request comes from your boss. Even if you try your best to satisfy all his requests, there are some times when you can't and must say no.
Steps
Step 1. Give yourself some time to think about the request that has been made to you before refusing right away
- If the request comes via email or through any other means than a phone call or face-to-face conversation, don't respond right away. Put the request aside and think about it for a while.
- If your boss asks you in person or on the phone, ask him for some time to think about it and tell him that you will give him an answer within a certain time.
- Evaluate his request carefully to determine if it is really unreasonable and if you need to tell him no.
Step 2. Prepare the answer to give before you say no to your boss
- Predict the questions they might ask you in response to your rejection and decide how you want to answer them.
- Repeat the speech you intend to give your boss aloud to help you build self-confidence before the actual conversation.
Step 3. Choose the right time and place to talk to your boss
- Discuss with him privately if the situation at work allows you to take a moment to be alone with him.
- Keep in mind the stress of the workday and your boss's work style. If he's a morning person and gets irritable in the afternoon, be sure to talk to him before lunch.
Step 4. Compliment your boss while rejecting their request
If your boss asks you to take on more responsibility, it means that he has confidence in your abilities to get the job done. Before letting him know that you feel like you can't do the job, show him that you really appreciate the trust he places in you.
Step 5. Tell your boss why you need to decline their request
- Assuming you have a valid reason to refuse, you have no reason to lie.
- Most employers admire the honesty of their employees and will appreciate your sincere response, rather than trying to take charge of a project that you can't manage.
Step 6. Offer a workaround
For example, if your boss asks you to be part of a commission, suggest someone else within the company that you think may be interested and able to be part of it.
Step 7. Try to reach a compromise
You may not be able to do exactly everything your boss asks of you, but you could be a part of it. For example, you could perhaps propose sharing the workload with someone else.
Warnings
- If your boss asks you to do something illegal, you have every right to refuse. Contact the relevant authorities to file a complaint and legally defend yourself against retaliatory dismissal.
- Keep calm and speak in a quiet tone of voice when you say no to your boss. Approaching your boss with a hot temper is never a good idea.
- Don't turn the conversation into a moment to voice your complaints by providing your boss with a detailed list of all the things you already do. It is very likely that he already knows how your working day goes, and he will be on the defensive if you use this type of approach.
