Graciously Saying "NO!"
I recently attended this Time Management Seminar sponsored by PDT. I would say its a nice class. It showed me a whole new perspective about planning my day to day activities. Main purpose of it is to steer us away from the notion that we have plan things efficiently and showed us a way on how to plan things effectively. One of the lessons it taught me is that Saying NO is ok so long as you explain why and what are your alternatives.
Well. I tried to see if it will work on my boss.
Boss: Hey... Can you do this for me please? Thanks!
Me: Tom, can you have someone else do this. My plate is overflowing right now. And I have deadlines to beat. I'll just leave the template that I did in the shared drive so it will be easier for someone to do it. (Saves the template in the shared drive)
Boss: (After 10 mins) Oh I'm sorry. Its just that I thought you're the only one who knows how to do it. Did you put some proprietary rights on the template. I myself cant even decipher it.
Me: (After 30 mins) Ok here you go... (Sends a file with an attachment...)
Boss: Thank you sir!
Alas... When you have an umcompromising boss... I guess it may not work... :(
Well. I tried to see if it will work on my boss.
Boss: Hey... Can you do this for me please? Thanks!
Me: Tom, can you have someone else do this. My plate is overflowing right now. And I have deadlines to beat. I'll just leave the template that I did in the shared drive so it will be easier for someone to do it. (Saves the template in the shared drive)
Boss: (After 10 mins) Oh I'm sorry. Its just that I thought you're the only one who knows how to do it. Did you put some proprietary rights on the template. I myself cant even decipher it.
Me: (After 30 mins) Ok here you go... (Sends a file with an attachment...)
Boss: Thank you sir!
Alas... When you have an umcompromising boss... I guess it may not work... :(