How Do I Turn Off People You May Know Suggestions on Facebook

Saying no isn't ever piece of cake—but information technology's oft necessary.

That'southward true both at work and in personal relationships. When a colleague asks you lot to accept on a project you don't have the bandwidth for, pushing back without leaving them feeling rebuffed is a valuable skill. Likewise, when you get an invite yous're just not upwardly for, knowing how to say no politely keeps things from getting awkward.

So how do you finesse your tone over email or text and so the person you lot're turning downward knows you still care? Beneath y'all'll find five strategies, as well as examples of how to say no nicely.

1 Cushion it with kindness or a compliment.

A favorite of grandmothers everywhere, this is the archetype "I love you lot, just no." The idea is to requite the recipient a few words to feel proficient near despite the rejection, like then:

Example: This sounds like a corking opportunity, but I have to pass. Thank you for considering me!

Instance: Your proposal is intriguing and I'1000 glad you brought it up, just it'southward non a good fit for united states.

That last phrase borrows from a longtime contributor to the venerable New Yorker, John McPhee, whose turndown of choice was as mild as it is brief: "Not for united states of america."

two Give your reasons.

Besides compliments, another matter the person you're saying no to might capeesh is knowing why. Sometimes it's best to be candid about your constraints.

Instance: I tin't handle the meeting for you this afternoon—I'm busy onboarding a new hire and have a deadline I need to hitting.

Case: This is a sugariness pitch, merely our organisation doesn't have a budget for this kind of projection right now.

Instance: A trip to Portland sounds fun, thanks! Unfortunately, I won't have the time to swing it this summer.

In other cases, you may adopt to reveal as little as possible—in which case, read on.

3 Be brief, but not brusque.

You don't e'er take to explicate yourself when telling someone no. Even so, it's ofttimes more than considerate to provide a straight-up no rather than a non-response, because leaving people wondering tends to read as thoughtless.

And while it'southward generally wise to keep this type of message brief, it's possible to be a bit as well short:

Bad example: I can't help with that.

Better case: Sadly, I'm afraid I tin't help with that.

Note the utilize of the word sadly above. It shows you recognize the answer probably won't thrill the recipient, and information technology brings you no joy to say and then.

Another fine example: Thanks for thinking of me for this consignment. I can't take more work on right now, just please proceed in touch.

The words "right now" in that last example suggest yous might exist open to other assignments down the road; saying and then politely helps keep your options open up in the concurrently. This brings us to our fourth strategy:

four Leave the door cracked.

Sometimes, you don't want to say "no" and then much as "not now."

Instance: Your indicate about needing to reevaluate and streamline our process is well taken. Why don't we put our heads together about it once the electric current round of hiring is washed?

Example: Thank you—I'd love to speak at your event, but the timing this year is no skillful. Would you please proceed me in mind for next year'south peak?

Handy though this approach is, use information technology sparingly. Putting someone off indefinitely tin can come off every bit a lot less polite than telling them no at the outset.

five Offering an alternative.

While your answer might be no, in the interest of courtesy, occasionally you lot'll want to help out the recipient in another mode—by suggesting some other time or a different option, perhaps.

Example: I can't brand the senator available for an interview earlier your deadline, but I'one thousand happy to put y'all in bear upon with our chief of staff. She can give groundwork on our policy if that's helpful to your story.

Instance: It's non realistic for me to meet for coffee and career advice right at present, only my colleague Frances is interested in taking on more than of a mentorship role and may have some insights you'll observe worthwhile. May I introduce you?

Example: I tin't pick up the weekend shift for you this fourth dimension, but I can cover for yous Monday if you need a mean solar day to recover later.

Telling people no is an essential office of life. While you don't always take to offer the recipient a Program B or an explanation, it'south often worth taking the fourth dimension to limited yourself kindly.

In doing so, the last thing yous desire to do is trip over an avoidable misspelling or punctuation error. Grammarly tin can't say no for you, but information technology can at least make sure your turndown reads clearly and looks sharp.

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Source: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/saying-no/