Leadership Tip

How to save time by saying no

What matters more: the amount of time you work or the results you produce? Any smart leader would say the latter. Yet, many people spend long, wasted hours at work. Learning to say 'no' is crucial for protecting your time and energy. While it might feel uncomfortable initially, setting boundaries is essential for your productivity and well-being. If you're struggling to keep control of your time and boost your performance, try doing these three things.

  1. Decline meetings. If you don't need to be there, don't accept the invitation. Explain your workload and request to see the meeting's minutes instead.
     
  2. Delete emails. Not all of them of course, but only keep and respond to the most important ones.
     
  3. Dial down your effort. If you can't say "no" to a certain request, recognise that it may only require a B+ effort. Don't spend time bumping it up to an A+ unless you really need to.

The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme and was adapted from Stop Working All Those Hours by Robert Pozen. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please contact us.


Looking for a speaker for your next event?
William Montgomery, our Founder and CEO, is available as a keynote speaker and event host. His experience as a speaker encompasses a wide number of audiences on a diverse array of subjects. He is also a volunteer for Speakers for Schools and Inspiring the Future.

Subscribe

Free weekly email on things you didn't know last week with links to articles on leadership excellence. To view previous editions click here.


Learn how to lead effectively

Gleaned from wisdom acquired by working with hundreds of highly successful leaders from the world of business, media and sport, our workshops are fortified with practical tips to help you better lead yourself, your team and your business.

Read More

Leadership Articles

10 actions for effective communication

High-quality communication is an essential element in business and organisational performance. Effective communication relies on engaging with people, having a commitment to building strong and productive relationships and realising that we communicate... read more

10 actions for advancing your career

Standing out at work isn’t about wearing a flashy hat - though, that could help. The more effective way to make an impact is by developing the skills that will get you noticed. Here are 10 strategies for advancing your career: Make skills... read more

10 actions for achieving best performance

Success does not begin with radically changing the way you work or acquiring new skills: the first step is to take what you already do to the highest level.  However trivial it may seem, if you can do a task more smartly than you did before, and... read more

Leadership Tips

How to make the most of your downtime

Rest isn’t a luxury - it’s a leadership skill. Stepping back isn’t about doing less; it’s about restoring the energy and clarity to lead well.  This holiday, give yourself permission to pause. Leadership starts with how well you lead yourself,... read more

How to build a high-performing team

Great teams don’t just happen - they’re built with intention. If you want your team to consistently deliver exceptional results, it’s not about strict rules or top-down control. It’s about creating an environment where individuals thrive together, adapt... read more

How to be assertive while being yourself

If you're naturally reserved, you've probably heard some version of this advice at work: “You need to speak up more” or “Be more assertive.” And while well-meaning, that advice can feel frustrating - especially when being reserved is simply part of who... read more