Too Busy for Your Own Good (40 page)

“I can't do that, but I can suggest a few people who might be able to help you.”

“I'd love to help you with this. Which of my current projects should I delegate to another person in order to take this on?”

Don't scorn the pungent clarity of
no
; it can be your ticket to balance. Yet there are times and with certain people when saying no might get you fired. Here are some guidelines for when you
cannot
say no:

If you're saying no as revenge, retribution, or payback

If you can't deliver it without anger or lies

If you're changing a previous agreement without an alternative

If the order comes down from a higher level than usual

If the deadline is flexible and/or reasonable

When you learn to say no, you also need to learn how to delegate. If you're going to farm out the job, do it with style. Here are some things to take into consideration when delegating:

Is this person capable of doing the job?

Does he clearly understand what you expect?

Communicate your belief that she can do it.

Get her personal guarantee that she will do it.

Agree upon a deadline.

Let him know you'll be following up.

Let her go, provide space, but
don't
do the job for her.