Learning to say a “NO” as an Entrepreneur

Have you ever noticed how many times a week you say “yes” to a person or project, only to end up regretting your decision?  Of those commitments how many were actually in lines with your business priorities? If you fear rejection, it can come at a high cost: missed milestones, losing clients, physical exhaustion, irritability and stress. Being unable to speak up at work can have long-lasting negative consequences. When your default setting is to say YES to each and every request that come across your way, you lose focus, which only pushes you further away from your goals. As an entrepreneur, you simply can’t afford that.

“For every person who climbs the ladder of success, there are a dozen waiting for the elevator.”

For an instance Mr. Harvey, a small-time investor for a startup business failed to click, bouncing along much like his former career -- going nowhere. He either gave in to keep the peace with his customers and employees or lost patience and lashed out, creating ill-will.

The key here is to be assertive. Successful entrepreneurs are assertive. They are comfortable saying "no" to others demands that are not in the best interest of their business. They feel secure in their actions and are willing to accept the risk of confrontation. And have a deep belief in their convictions. They are comfortable with the idea of standing alone as a leader.

Being assertive means to stand up for what you believe in.Most of us know what confidence means. But what about assertiveness? It’s when you confidently express your needs and opinions in a fair, honest and calm way whilst considering the needs and views of others.

It helps you:

• Stand up for yourself
• Say "no" without feeling guilty
• Express your wants, needs and opinions
• Maintain self-control
• Judge the situation and be assertive when it’s appropriate

Being assertive is something that most of us learn gradually through our interactions with people over the years. The best salesmen shows incredible levels of assertiveness while closing a deal. The same goes for an entrepreneur who has to face issues from unexpected quarters and deal with people who may not always be patient and gentle.

When you’re ASSERTIVE, you ask people for what you need by gaining a flair to recognize when someone is taking advantage of you. You can approach the things you do with confidence and make a direct impact on your business.

How can Entrepreneurs learn to put their foot down to achieve success in this cut-throat world?

Do not be aggressive

There is only a fine line between being aggressive and being assertive. It is easy to lose one’s cool and act immature in wearisome situations. It takes a lot more effort to keep your calm and walk away. There are instances when raising your voice seems like the most normal thing to do. 

However, only if you control your temper and address the other person with respect and dignity will things work your way. The best way to deal with anger is to just take a moment and self- introspect.

Ditch the shy entrepreneur in you!

Being submissive and eager to please will never get you anywhere. Not even for a small startup. Assertiveness implies that you are not afraid to speak up. It is all right to be shy. But it is not at all right to let yourself remain that way.

Consider the age-old advice of standing in front of a mirror and practicing your speech or sales pitch. When at business meetings, introduce yourself to people whom you normally shy away from. Learn to take small steps and keep doing it until you become totally comfortable with it.

Accept differences

Being insensitive to the other person’s point of view or opinion is not the right way to go about in a business setting... If someone has opinions that are completely different from yours, it should not make you upset... Differences in opinion do not mean you are right and the other person is wrong or vice versa.

Be focused and direct when you talk

The hallmark of being assertive is being direct. Be clear while expressing what exactly you want to convey. Never accuse or make the other person feel guilty when you are trying to put your point across.

Do not be a doormat

You need to set boundaries that help you decide what you will permit and what you won’t. You don’t want to come across as a bully, nor do you want people to walk over you. Setting boundaries for yourself will empower you to know what you should say YES to and when you should say NO.

Like all skills, assertiveness is a skill that needs to be imbibed. It might take time to perfect the art, but it will work wonders in your personal and professional life.

Keep growing

And Saying “No” is a Gift You Give Yourself as an entrepreneur.

The more you learn and grow, the more connected and confident you feel. Be patient as you make these changes. 

You may stumble through difficult conversations or lose nerve at the last moment. That’s OK! Most new things are hard at first, but building a direct assertive communiqué style is the way to business success.