One of the business blogs I follow is the Leadership Freak by Dan Rockwell. Dan had a post about the importance for Leaders and Managers to learn to say No. He cites the fact that saying Yes is much more popular in corporate America, as it tends to please people, while showing a willingness to try new things, etc. But No can be equally powerful.

So this got me to thinking about my own career and the power of Yes and No.

When I was a young, senior financial person at the private firm, Donn, I worked  with many older, operating people and the firm’s owner and his family. I found myself almost always saying Yes to try to please or impress these important peers or superiors. Of this group, one of the most famous and demanding was Branco, Donn’s European President. In my book, The Business Zoo, I tell a story about how skilled and smooth Branco was at getting his way. That story illustrates that Branco was a Grand Master at wining and dining, which was his preferred way to get things done.

After a while, Branco and I became friends and although he was always insistent on getting his own way, at times he gave me some advice. One day he told me that my problem is I cannot say No to anyone! An ironic comment from him, but very true.

I started to look at the world in a much healthier and useful light. I learned that there were times that, for the company or my own mental or moral well-being, I had to say No. But most importantly I learned how to say No without getting people upset, perhaps by suggesting an acceptable (to me) alternative approach. That made me a much better manager and leader. The Yes and No’s need to be in a balance that works for you.

And Branco? Sadly, after he retired he asked me for something and I said No. After that he quit talking to me. Branco will return in a story or two in my second book. Stay tuned!