How to Respond When Someone Says No to Your Idea
there are three steps when responding to team members
There’s nothing quite like getting juiced about a new idea. It makes perfect sense in our mind, and we know it’s going to light up our plate with a full dash of awesome sauce. We might even be a little proud of ourselves.
Then someone comes along and says no.
The lightning goes out of our veins, and we’re disappointedly putting the cap back on the awesome sauce.
But here’s the thing — the no likely wasn’t about you.
The hardest part about saying no is that someone has to hear it. No one wants to pull your plug out or be seen as the downer raining on everyone else’s parade.
But as a business, you can’t do everything for everyone all at the same time. To stay effective, you need to stay focused on the things that help you fulfill your company’s purpose.
How you say no and how you respond to no go hand in hand when it comes to building a laser-focused business that also fosters strong relationships between its team members.
Here are some steps to hear no and respond productively:
#1. Ask for their reasoning.
If the person saying no doesn’t tell you, ask them to explain how your idea, approach, or solution doesn’t work within your company’s Core strategy. By walking through the how, you’re dealing with the practical instead of personal opinions or stakes.
#2. Consider their reasoning.
Now you need to consider what they said. If you need a minute, take it, or ask for a longer period of time to reflect. Let them know when you’ll get back to them, and keep it within the next 24-48 hours. Houseguests stink like a fish after hanging around too long — outstanding items do too.
#3. Pick a track
After consideration, there are three primary paths to follow:
If you disagree, find common ground with their reasoning. Then, share the points where you see things differently and provide your reasoning. This isn't about your solution being superior to someone else's — this is about making deliberate choices to make the most of everyone’s time. Ask more questions to see if you can get to a yes.
If it sounds like there’s a productive base to build, suggest a revision right away: "Ok. I see what you’re saying. How about I try XYZ?"
And if you agree with their reasoning, say so and thank them. The end. Next item.
#4. Skip these steps.
Don't overthink. No decision is worse than a wrong step. And don't take a no personally and get defensive. That instinct leads to holding onto things far past their expiration date or making them precious so they never improve.
When it comes to hearing and responding to a no, ego is the enemy. The right answer may not be your answer. Learn to let go of your ideas and listen to others.
Because you’re a team working together to fulfill the same purpose, you can always go back to the point to keep things aligned.
Hear no better.
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