Manish's – Thoughts and Learnings

In my two decades of navigating the Indian corporate landscape, from the days of bulky desktop monitors to the current era of “quick huddles” on Teams/Zoom, if there is one skill that separates the leaders from the burnt-out, it’s the ability to say No.

We Indians are culturally wired to be helpful. We call it adjusting. But in a high-pressure office, “adjusting” too much is a one-way ticket to mediocrity. If you say yes to every random PowerPoint request or “quick” data-cleansing task, when will you do the work you were actually hired for?

Saying no isn’t about being rude. It’s about boundary management. Here is how you do it without losing your “team player” badge.

The Direct Approach (No Chutney, No Spice)

Sometimes, the best way to say no is to just say it. No need to beat around the bush. If a colleague drops a “small favor” on your desk while you’re neck-deep in a deadline, be straightforward.

• The Script: “I don’t have the bandwidth to help you right now because I’m working on a crucial report due in two hours.”
• Why it works: It’s transparent. You aren’t rejecting them; you are prioritizing a ticking clock.

The “Soft” Pivot

If a flat “No” feels too harsh for your office culture, replace the word but keep the sentiment. Focus on the impact your “Yes” would have on your current commitments.

• The Script: “I’d like to help, but I’m swamped. People are depending on me to finish this project, and if I abandon it now, I’d be letting the whole team down.”
• The Logic: You aren’t being selfish; you’re being responsible.

The “Not Now, But Later”

This is the classic “Check back with me” move. It filters out the people who aren’t actually in a hurry and just want to offload their work.

• The Script: “I can’t help right now, but check in with me after 4:00 p.m. Things will be less crazy then.”
• Pro Tip: Half the time, they’ll find someone else or figure it out themselves by 4:00 p.m.

The Counter-Offer (The “Negotiated No”)

In the corporate world, everything is a trade-off. If your boss or a senior stakeholder keeps piling it on, make them choose.

• The Priority Shuffle: “I’m barely keeping my head above water with Project A. I can continue with that, or I can start this new one. Which one would you prefer I prioritize?”
• The Partial Yes: “I can’t manage the whole presentation and the testing team, but I’m happy to do the PowerPoint for you. Fair enough?”

Pass the Baton

Sometimes, you aren’t the best person for the job. Recognizing this is a sign of maturity, not weakness.

• The Script: “I have a poor grasp of the technical side of this, but Amit in XYZ project knows about this. Ask him to look at your design, tell him I sent you.”

The “What Not To Do” List

I’ve seen many juniors make these mistakes, and it always backfires:

• Don’t Stall: Saying “Let me get back to you” when you already know the answer is “No” is just cruel. It wastes their time and keeps the mental load on your plate.
• Resist Excuses: You don’t need to claim your grandmother is ill or your car broke down. “I have a prior commitment” or “My schedule is full” is a complete sentence.
• Never Lie: The corporate world is a small village. If you say you’re “too busy” and then get caught scrolling through LinkedIn or taking a long chai break, your credibility hits zero.

The “People Pleaser” Dilemma: Why Guilt is Your Worst Enemy

For those of us naturally inclined to be “people pleasers”, saying no feels like physical pain. You might worry about being seen as arrogant, or worse, that you’re letting the team down. But here is the hard truth: A “yes” that you can’t deliver on is far more damaging than a polite “no”.

When you please everyone, you please no one, especially yourself. Every time you say “No” to a distraction, you are actually saying “Yes” to your own quality of work, your mental health, and your long-term career growth. Don’t feel bad about protecting your time. It is the only asset in the corporate world that you can never get back.

The Bottom Line

Being a “Yes Person” might make you popular for a month, but being a “Reliable Person” will make you respected for a career. Use your “Yes” like currency, don’t spend it on things that don’t matter.