Stop feeling guilty for saying no. (Here’s how to do it without burning bridges) The most expensive word in your vocabulary? 'Yes.' Every 'yes' costs you twice: Once in time. Once in missed opportunities. The harsh truth? Your most powerful word isn't 'yes.' It's a well-placed 'no.' Here's how to say no without burning bridges: ❌ "This meeting could have been an email." ✅ "For updates like this, I can share quick feedback over email next time." ➡️ Nudges toward efficiency without being passive-aggressive. ❌ “I’m too busy for this.” ✅ "I'm swamped with [X] right now - which should I prioritize?" ➡️ Shift rejection into collaboration. ❌ “I don’t know how to do this.” ✅ "Sarah knows way more about this stuff - want me to loop her in?" ➡️ Redirect while keeping things moving. ❌ “That deadline is impossible.” ✅ “I think it needs [X] days to do it properly. Can we review the timeline?” ➡️ Propose a realistic solution instead of shutting it down. ❌ "This won't work." ✅ "I see some challenges with this approach. Could we brainstorm alternatives?" ➡️ Keep the conversation solution-focused. ❌ "This isn't my problem." ✅ "Mark's team would be better to solve this. Would you like an introduction?" ➡️ Points them in the right direction without dismissing them. ❌ “We’ve always done it this way.” ✅ “I’m open to new ideas. How would you do it?” ➡️ Encourage ideas rather than shutting it down. ❌ “I’ll get to it when I get to it.” ✅ “I can tell this is important for you. Could we plan to tackle it on [X] when I can dive in?” ➡️ Set a boundary while showing you care. ❌ "I've already explained this." ✅ "Let me try explaining this differently - tell me which part isn't clear." ➡️ Take responsibility for communication. ❌ “This is too much work for one person to handle.” ✅ "This looks like a two-person job. Can we get someone else on board?" ➡️ Share your concerns directly, without complaining. Don’t say ‘yes’ immediately. Take a moment to understand the request. Respect your boundaries. Your ‘yes’ will mean more to others. P.S. What’s your top tip for saying ‘no’ without burning bridges? — ♻ Repost this to help your network say ‘no’ without burning bridges. ➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this. | 264 comments on LinkedIn