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How to Say No

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Learning how to say no is crucial. We are faced with a barrage of requests each and every day - for time, for money, and for favors. We have to learn to say no most of the time, occasionally to some worthy causes and some great opportunities.

When it comes to saying no in the context of a deal, I learned a valuable lesson from one of my lawyers: Distill the information presented to you. Lawyers are pros at distilling complex information, and it’s a skill worth cultivating. As you read over the terms of a deal or a contract, translate the language by using the phrase “in other words . . .” and then paraphrase the rest.

You will begin to see the tricky ways in which language can be used. If you can distill the language into simpler terms, you’ll be able to see how the deal will reward you and also what it will require of you. Once you have the pluses and minuses straight in your head, saying no (if necessary) will be a lot easier.

Frankly - and this advice might strike you as strange - accept it when people are not nice to you. I like it when people are not nice because they’re easier to control. It’s much more difficult to be tough with someone who is nice. If they’re nasty, saying no is a cinch.

The topic of today’s post is explored further in Donald J. Trump’s classic book Trump: Think Like a Billionaire.

Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

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14 Comments

[-] Posted by member1366890 on 07/25/2007 8:50 AM
There is only Me whom I talking, so only what matters is to be aware of Me.

When there are Two , oupssss!!!!!!!, here we go again , yesss, no,no,no,no..yes, no, noyes, hm, hm, what now?! Whattt?

:-)

excuse Me, it's 37 °C in Croatia.
[-] Posted by Daniela -Madrid on 07/25/2007 8:54 AM
Yes, sure, Mr Trump
is not necessary imagenio to persuade a maybe no(?!) into a YES..
focus on the solution is the key of the team
have a great day,
Daniela
[-] Posted by member1600131 on 07/25/2007 12:04 PM
Mr. Trump,
Cultivating skills to say "No" is very difficult task for those who are really brought up in "Yes" culture. I was one of those "YesMan". My friends suggested me many times to learn "no". I have tried this in last few years and I now feel, it's really a powerful skill and necessity to effectively handle your situations in all aspects.


Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com
Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life!
[-] Posted by Feoh on 07/25/2007 2:23 PM
Señor Trump,

Findings show many upset people are read easily on the basis of their inability in hide the truth. However, a little quiet time spent practicing deep repetitive inhalations may prove a healthy alternative to anger. And thankfully, quality lawyers will decipher legal jargon for those of us who require it. I sure have appreciated my attorney’s legal jargon breakdown, when necessity warranted the activity.

Buen Día,

Some Guy
[-] Posted by VMMFG on 07/25/2007 4:44 PM
Mr. Trump,

I think your analogy is on target. Having someone bringing a negative attitude into the boardroom allows a productive person to seek out the needs of this negative person quicker; and close the deal in less time.

Also, its easier to not waste any more time with this person if what is brought to the table is non-productive and wasting everybodys time.
A simple and direct "NO" can save long winded discussions and may also save the company a lot of money.

Vincent Marzigliano - CEO/Owner
VM-Manufacturing Corporation
[-] Posted by William Yang on 07/25/2007 7:02 PM
Another way to say NO ! ! ! :

one day I met a Pit Bull type salesman, she hold me for 2 LONG HOURS for her presentation. everytime I said no, I got more discount and more bonusses. but I realy don't need any of those items.

so I told her that I don't realy need any of her items, then I praise her selling ability, and I ask her : "hey, I have an old car to sell, would you like to help me to sell it ?", she said "no, thanks". then I walked out and say : OK, it's time to go.

Life is give & take, sometimes it's hard to say no to someone who spend so much time & effort for us, but, if she said no to you, it will be easier for you to say no to her.
[-] Posted by u279622 on 07/25/2007 10:37 PM
Though I consider myself quite tough when it comes to dealing with
people in authority, I find it very hard to say no to a good cause.
I know that I cant give to every cause as my charitable funds are limited
but it is hard to say no to most especially those that involves children and poverty.
I believe in sharing but where do I say no and where do I say yes?

Bridge
www.bridgeshairdesigns.com
[-] Posted by DebbieDee on 07/26/2007 12:59 AM
As a worth people, there is a time to say No and there is a time to say Yes. What I got experience in my life, so many people pressure their own need to me. They never bring me into their thoughts and let me to make a decision. Finally, I decide to myself and I never follow what people said but I used my common sense to say Yes.
[-] Posted by member1627611 on 07/26/2007 3:11 AM
In any negotiation, you need to know your threshold of pain and when you need to walk. It is a lot easier to say no to a deal when you know where your limits are.

-4MySales
http://realtorleads.blogspot.com/
[-] Posted by lightwayvez on 07/26/2007 7:25 PM
When I started working I never said no. I gave all the frills and extra attention because I wanted my value as a person to expand. Then one day a group of select customers continued to arrive at my door when I was locking up for the day. When the closed sign was active.

As usual I gave the extra service. In their guilt they stated they would return to do more business in the morning also. When they didn't return as promised I decided that my honesty and integrity had grown to its next level. I did not need to serve customers off the clock anymore.

Priorities. Self care comes first.

I go home to get a full night's rest now so I can handle the mobs of people who all want extra attention for free.
[-] Posted by member1519926 on 07/26/2007 11:08 PM
I have learned that saying "no" saves me and the other person time. I have also learned that time is the most valuable thing that we have and we need to spend it wisely.
[-] Posted by u266082 on 07/27/2007 6:33 PM
I agree with being better able to say, "No." when one knows their own limitations. It also gives a person more confidence or a prepared feeling:

The other day, my girlfriend handed be a Thomas Guide to find our way to a train station. She asked if I knew how to use it? I used my words and said "I am not use to it, I have poor vision and my hands don't work well; so, it will take me a while to get the directions and we would proably get there before I found it. "

"No" in this case may have been better, even though I could figure it out, just not fast enough. Time ticking away as I tried to line up block numers, her frustration intensifying, she asked me to dial 1 800 RAILWAY on her cell phone. Again I said my eyes... my hands... and I was about to say that she could do it faster when she took the phone away from me to dial it herself. 'Kind of cracks me up now because people assume that every one sees well and has texting dexterity. "No" would not suffice for them. They simply do not understand why someone might say flat out, "No" to something so simple. Next time I may add, "We don't have time for me to explain why I said 'No'." Furthermore, next time I will get my directions in advance of getting in the car with someone, nor assume that they know their way to a hometown destination.

I really do get tired of explaining why I say "no." Some times I am persuaded to change my mind, and sometimes I regret it. When I regret it is when I did not consider my limitations, like having money to do the activity, the energy, the time etc. So knowing oneself from experiential situations is very valuable to recall when presented with a similar circumstances that require a negative evaluation. The scenarios might not be the same, but alike enough to add "From my experience, No." Or add to no, "I do not feel comfortable doing that." It worked without further adeiu.

Kandidly, Kate
[-] Posted by member1633560 on 08/13/2007 12:53 AM
You're all complicating the whole purpose of saying "No." The only reason to say "No" to anyone is if you realize that by saying yes to them you won't reach your personal or business goals. If you know WHO you are, WHAT you need, WHERE you're going and HOW you're going to get there you will make decisions (such as saying yes or no) based on whether something being offered or sold or pitched will help you achieve your goal. If it will, you say "Yes." If it won't, you say "No." Easy. It's not about whether a person is nice or a jerk. If they have something you need to help you achieve your goals you focus ONLY on the goal - not on them. If you do that you won't be manipulated, scammed or cheated because you will be focused on fact, not feelings. Saying "No," is not a bad thing and it can often be a good thing. Don't think of it as a negative. Think of it as a positive way to take care of yourself and a way to help you reach your goals. If you think of it this way, the only hard part is then learning to set, define and pursue your goals. And for most people THAT is truly harder than saying no.
[-] Posted by member1649341 on 09/13/2007 10:34 PM
It is an issue in our culture that conflict is seen in a negative light.
Yet conflict often results in progress and issues being resolved that would not of happened otherwise
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