13. Art of Saying No

Life Skills: Art of Saying No

How to say ‘No’?

You cannot say “Yes” to every idea or feature. Focusing means saying ‘no’ to really good ideas sometimes. Delivery of this feedback and how you engage in this conversation is key to guiding the team members without affecting the trust you have built so far or decreasing the earned social capital

• Listen with intent to ask clarifying questions
• Always Follow-Up: Paraphrase succinctly
• Always Follow-Up: Share your objective rationale
• Attitude and body language matters

QUIZ QUESTION::

As a Product Manager, how can you guide the team member by saying ‘no’? Reorder the information in order to convey the guide effectively

ANSWER CHOICES:

Be humble while delivering your response and share the rationale

Confirm your understanding with the team member and then proceed

Paraphrase by focusing on key details only while distinguishing data-backed information from assumptions and opinions

Listen to others with undivided attention

Ask clarifying questions to uncover real issue and gain insights

Priority	Information
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth

SOLUTION:

Priority	Information
Fifth	Be humble while delivering your response and share the rationale
Fourth	Confirm your understanding with the team member and then proceed
Third	Paraphrase by focusing on key details only while distinguishing data-backed information from assumptions and opinions
First	Listen to others with undivided attention
Second	Ask clarifying questions to uncover real issue and gain insights