The Power of Saying "No" and Why it may be your best career move.
Posted on August 14, 2025 by Todd Greider, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
Most people think discipline means saying “yes” to more.
But the real power?
It’s knowing when to say no. Here is a deep dive into this story.
I recently felt the pressure (self-induced, of course) to say yes—even when my mind and body were saying no. Makes sense considering I’m an overachieving perfectionist!
Between facilitating a presentation skills workshop, catching up on emails, and tackling other priorities, there was more I wanted to do. But what I was neglecting was myself, and my ability to recharge so I could be at my best.
It hit me after a not-so-great night’s sleep: discipline isn’t just about doing more.
It’s also about protecting your energy so you can show up fully for the things that matter most.
Saying no isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. It’s a conscious choice to prioritize what truly moves the needle, for yourself and for your team.
Here are three ways to say “no” positively and definitively—in both work and life:
1. When you’re already at capacity
Professional: “I’d love to contribute, but my current priorities won’t allow me to give this the focus it deserves. Let’s revisit once my workload clears, or I can suggest someone else who could help now.”
Personal: “That sounds fun, but I’ve already made commitments for this week. Let’s set a date for next month when I can be fully present.”
2. When a request doesn’t align with your goals
Professional: “This is a great initiative, but to keep my focus on our current strategic goals, I’ll need to pass this time so I can deliver my best on our existing commitments.”
Personal: “I appreciate the invite, but I’m prioritizing my health goals right now, so I’ll have to pass this time.”
3. When you need to protect your downtime
Professional: “I’m using this time to recharge so I can bring my best energy to our upcoming work—let’s connect another day.”
Personal: “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’ve set this evening aside for family time. Let’s catch up later this week.”
Quick “When to Say No” Checklist
Say no if the request…
✅ Pushes you beyond your healthy capacity
✅ Pulls focus from your core goals and values
✅ Replaces your recharge time with more output
✅ Has a greater cost to your well-being than the benefit it brings
✅ Can be done better—or sooner—by someone else
Your yes has value. Protect it. Because when you learn to say “no” with confidence, you create space for the work, relationships, and opportunities that matter most.
What’s one “yes” you could replace with a “no” this week to give yourself the space you need?
Until next time—lead with purpose, presence, and leave a lasting positive impact!
Todd Greider
