Think twice before saying “no.”
“No” actually has the neutral characteristic. It could be good, and it could be not nice. Sometimes it could be both, and sometimes, it could go cliché. 📭
First, let me introduce myself a little bit. 🙋♂️ I am Vuong Nguyen, a Product Lead at some random company located in Saigon 🇻🇳. My following sharing could be meaningless to some, but it would also help one who needs, especially the one who has recently been promoted to a fresh manager, like me.
*Please notice that the context I am talking about is around my work, the Product development field.* 📱
Without a roundabout, I will go straight to the topic by showing you guys the following cases.
First, who might be heard my “no”?
A. My boss 👨🏻💼
The story was that my team and I had been working on a project of building an entire digitalized telco eco-system, including SIM and its mobile data plans, coming with its telco services and other 3rd-party integrated services.
Then, he came and said: “Can you guys deliver the product in the next two months?” 🔥
Of course, a “dcm, hell no” had been raised as my team and I all understood that we could not build such a big thing within a short period with a 10-member team. However, later a while (3 months) and a disappointed face of my boss 🤦🏻♂️, I realized that I had made a mistake.
Obviously, I was right about the thought that we could only deliver a lousy product with such a modest resource. However, I was wrong when saying “no” too soon.
Under the psychology aspect, I believe no one wants to be refused when he/she has just raised his/her voice. Moreover, he was just asking. As a product lead, I should have taken his request to my backlog for further consideration as my duty.
There will be no good things if you disappoint your boss. 🥲
One of my partners has told me:
“The difference between the C level and the executive is that the C always said yes. If you want to join the C group, you should learn to think and talk like the C ones.”
B. My colleague 🤡
*Let change up the play-role. I won’t be the “no” saying dude this time.*
The BA team and I once were discussing the chances we could improve our product. Suddenly, the tech dude jumped right into our discussion and said: “No, there is no way you guys could help. It is a technical issue but just let it be. We don’t have time, so don’t waste it”.
Not mentioning his thought yet, he was so fucking ungainly when acting like that. Please do not learn from him! No one wants to work with him since then.
About his ideas, he actually tried to block the whole team’s ability by just a technical aspect. Of course, I disagreed, and we had a big fight.
Within a night of researching and asking for support, we found even a better solution to improve the product and fix the technical issue.
The thing is, there is no bad idea. Until you truly understand it, please don’t try to ruin it. 💔
Plus, ignorance + ungainly = forever alone.
C. Also my colleague, but a good one 🙋♀️
*Because this is the good one, so I must be the asshole this time.*
Haha, but nope, there is no story for this one. 🙃
As I have said above, there are no bad ideas. When working under a team, there is an inevitable fact that different people have different points of view.
As a good colleague and a good leader in particular, you should learn to accept the opinions of others, thereby giving your overall thoughts and views.
Expressing your critical disavowal towards the other’s thoughts, ideas, and efforts in the very first place not only turns you into a fucking bastard but also, step by step, leads you to work alone with the ants and other insects in the company.
🐜: “I don’t f**k with you.”
D. Myself 💆♂️
I used to put a “no” in front of every line I said when I disagreed with others in a discussion, and this accidentally slammed the door of my thinking ability and creativity.
Refusal before considering blurred my eyes from potential came from my teammates’ opinion.
The more I work, the more I learn that even the worst ideas coming from someone’s thought could help the situation. To practice how to listen and recognize other people’s knowledge is also to receive various experiences from the collective around me. Since then, no one sees my “no” lol 😇.
In summary
There are a few things you could take note of:
1. Considering before refusing. Just let the data talk, and your boss will be okay with your “no.”
2. If your “no” cannot help the situation, don’t let it out.
3. Respect other thoughts, ideas, and decisions, one day, you will no longer find a no-sayer in the room.
4. Let your brain be filled with experiences, not denials.
*Disclaimer: Avoiding saying “no” doesn’t mean you have to say “yes” to everything.*
Anw, thank you for your time!
If you guys have anything to share, please let me know.
