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You have a number of tasks to complete during any given day. Two small practices that can help you accomplish everything with time to spare are making lists and mental mapping. Making lists ensures that you will not forget anything, and you can prioritize by listing the tasks in order of importance. You can then take a few minutes to create a mental map of the way these tasks are going to get done. The term “mental map” usually refers to a person’s individual perception of something based on the inputs they have received about it. (A very simple example of this is your memory of a house you saw as a child—you remember it as having been huge, but when you see it as an...

There are many ways of saying no, and you need to choose the best way depending on the gravity of the situation. Here are a few thumb rules anyone would do well to follow: Be firm, not rude The trick here is to be able to politely but assertively make your refusal known to the other person. If it is a client, tactfully explain that although you value his business and the relationship you have built up, acceding to his request is impossible because of this or that reason (specify). If it is an employee asking for an out-of-turn raise, don’t turn him down without giving him a patient hearing and analyzing his rationale for asking for the raise. Choose the time and place carefully The...

One common situation when a leader may have to say an emphatic No is when the values or ethics of the organization are being ignored. Anyone who crosses the line of what is permissible is likely to hear this. Similarly, if an employee suggests a deal or line of action that may have adverse financial impact on the organization, the leader might have to be firm about saying no. Situations that compromise employee safety or affect morale or that might be illegal also call for a firm negative. Then there are always likely to be some gray areas where the leader needs to use his or her judgment to decide whether to say no or give in, or at least try and be a little flexible depending on the situa...

One of the smallest words in the English language—NO—can sometimes be the most difficult to say. Most people prefer to couch their refusal of something in euphemistic terms so as not to offend or hurt the recipient. However, sometimes it can be wiser to just say No—as long as you learn to say it effectively. Leaders often find themselves in situations where they need to say no, and the ability to do it effectively with grace, compassion and in a reasonable and meaningful way can be a major discriminator between a good and an average leader. Running an organization can be likened to driving – it can consist of a series of nos. The red light is saying “no, you ca...