quote: A straight "No" robs you of influence and will quickly earn you a negative reputation among your colleagues. I like Shawn Wood's version of saying some version of "Yes, but ..." Yes. I can do this in your timeframe and in your budget. (A full yes) Yes. I can do this in your budget but I am going to have to change the timeframe. (Yes, but) Yes. I can do this, but not in your timeframe or your budget. Let's negotiate. (Yes, but but) Yes. I can do this, but I do not think it is the best way. May I make suggestions? (Yes, however) Yes, I can have someone else do this for you. (Yes, but not me ...)
Joe
After everything that has happened during the month of Jan 07, I do believe that pigs fly backwards!
Or if your like some people I've had the pleasure of working with, it's Yes, I can do that for you, but it never gets done. Which is a round about way of them getting back to No... grrrrr.