Just Say No

Just say no to accepting the past will repeat.
Just say no when you hear that negative self-talk.

Just say no to naysayers. Just say no to those who reject you.

Just say no to giving up. Just say no when you think you can't.
Just say no to letting go of your dream.

Just say no to letting setbacks stop you. Just say no to distractions.
Just say no to sharing your ideas with negative people.

Just say no to fear. Just say no to doubt. Just say no to stopping.

Just say no to being hard on yourself.
Just say no to disbelieving your ideas matter.

Just say no to avoiding asking others for help.
Just say no to average. Just say no to excuses.

Just say no to thinking it won't get better.
Just say no to people who hold you back.
Just so not to procrastinating.

Just say no to accepting you can't do it.
Just say no to emotional vampires.

Just say no to thinking mistakes define you.
Just say no to comparing yourself to others.
Just say no to not shipping your art.
Just say no to letting yourself stop following your dream

Let's just say yes we can and will.
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Is No The Appropriate Response?

As a leader, how often do you race to the “no” before looking closer at the situation? Conversely, how often do you say “yes” by rote? I often ask business and community leaders what their organizations do and stand for, then dig deeper to find what they won’t stand for which garners some interesting responses.

For example; Will you do anything for revenue? Would you risk your company’s reputation by lying to a customer? Could you sleep soundly at night knowing your products harm people?

Closer to a Yes?

If you’re in sales, you know the infinite pain of a prospect who won’t get past maybe. Some may think maybe is closer to yes but it’s actually closer to avoidance which dies a painful death on its way to no. Often they don’t know how to say no so they hope it just goes away. Often a fast no is far better than a long maybe.

No could be suitable if it comprises your business principles while it might be premature if you encourage new and fresh ideas from your team. Sometimes no is easier than explaining why. Sometimes no can be an appropriate response and is a complete sentence, but are we using it properly?

That’s the real question.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Inquisitive Intuition

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. Albert Einstein

It’s often said that things happen for a reason. It’s often said that we adapt to the result with which we’re faced with at any given time. This is not a work thing, it’s a life thing. We create what we want – even when it doesn't feel like it. Our energy pulls in what we focus on which can be what we want or what we don't want.

As children, one of the first words we learn is "no". Words such as; yes, imagine, how, create, come much later which may be why we gravitate to "can't" far too often. That may be why we first hear no in our minds soon after the idea. As leaders, we need to make sound decisions, but nothing is guaranteed so there is always be a chance of a misstep. But taking chances is where growth thrives.

First Impressions

Malcolm Gladwell talks about that feeling you get in your gut when you know you’re right in his book Blink. It happens to all of us. We sense there’s an opportunity, we feel it’s a good one, and then justify the reasons not to act. Our reflection then creates the "I knew it!" moment.

We have to be careful not to build in failure at the design stage then work toward fulfilling that prescribed inevitability. What we need to do is learn from past challenges but focus on successes. Food for thought for the next time you get that nagging urge to act yet find some excuse stop yourself.

Let's listen to our intuition more and stop thinking so much.
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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

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Quick No vs. Long Maybe

What are they telling you? What are you telling them?

I have often asked friends, colleagues and clients whether they prefer a quick response that may not go their way verses a 'maybe' and the perception in most cases that may turn into a long wait which may be a 'yes', may not.

Many sales experts will cite a certain system and number of meetings it takes to make a sale and I challenge that thinking because the onus is not on the customer to buy your services, it's up to you to provide proof that you can solve their need.

Will the ‘quick no’ approach help or hinder your closing percentage?

As one who has shot himself in the foot during the prospect phase, sometimes you can come on too strong or misread the client or leave them unclear on your offering.

Most say they prefer the quick 'no' over the long 'maybe' perhaps because it can be left unresolved and fizzle into a 'no'. If you are in sales, you have experienced the magical disappearing prospect which is always a blast.

Is every 'no' really closer to a 'yes'?

Years ago, I worked with a sales guy who said he had to go out and get some no’s because each one got him closer to the next 'yes'. Perhaps that’s a mathematical comment or possibly it means each pitch improves your game. This guy crushed it on a daily basis so his 'yes to no' ratio was off the chart. Persistence is key.

What do you do when they say 'maybe'?

knealemann | email

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