Say Yes More Often
If you want to grow your confidence.
Your colleague is just about to throw an idea but you already know what you reply:
“No”.
For some reason, we tend to be wired to say “no” to certain people in similar situations and when we don’t want to listen.
No = I am not interested. / This won’t work. / Just shut up.
Not always, of course.
However, by saying “no” too often we may lose creativity, flexibility, and relationships with others.
It sucks. Let’s play a yes man for today. I want you to say “yes” as much as possible. You get your “because” below.
The power of “YES”
The movie Yes Man is a 2008 romantic comedy. Even if you are not a Jim Carry fan, you get one lesson from the movie:
“If you don’t try something, then you will never have the opportunity to learn from the experience.”
Imagine how your life would be different if you:
Didn’t accept your current job.
Didn’t get married.
Didn’t hire your team.
Didn’t study at the University.
Didn’t see “Back to the Future”.
“Yes” gives you experience and regrets. What’s more. “Yes” helps you meet new people. “Yes” opens the door.
Wouldn’t it be great to experience more in 2025? Just say it.
Yeahhhhh.
“Yes” in leadership
Leaders who say no are probably not the best people to work with, trust, and be around.
A friend of mine recently said yes to taking over his department while his manager is on maternity leave. He could have avoided this challenge by saying “no,” but that is exactly what you should not be doing.
You want to seize hidden opportunities. (Opportunities often come disguised as challenges. Like you already know.)
“Yes” empowers your team. By saying “yes” to your team’s ideas and initiatives, you show you trust them and value their input.
“Yes” gets you further and helps you organically build a positive culture.
Leaders who say yes to new challenges and feedback are one step away from a growth mindset. Leadership is the ability to encourage others to innovate, take calculated risks, and go for it together.
“Yes” gets you further.
“Yes” inspires confidence
Confidence is becoming an interesting topic which I will revisit a few times this year. Weirdly, more and more leaders struggle with confidence.
Why? Because of the usual suspect - your inner critic:
“You can’t do it.”
“Give up, mate.”
“You are not good enough.”
“God, another mistake? They will fry you.”
We battle with criticism all the time. Yet, we are the worst ones. Let’s prove your inner critic wrong.
Say “yes”. You have the capabilities. You have the knowledge, the skills, and drive. Saying yes allows you to challenge self-doubt.
You are much more capable than you thought.
You can run your department, marathon, or your business. You’ve got it! “Yes” builds a foundation of trust in yourself.
Little “yeses” help you grow your self-assurance and management.
What do you say yes today?
“Yes” and no more boredom
Saying “yes” breaks your routine and shakes things up. If you are bored with your team, work, or even life, say “yes” more often.
Do you want to work with this client? Yes
Do you want to go on a blind date? Yes.
Do you want to read this book? Yes.
Do you want to taste this? Yes.
“Yes” leads to spontaneous adventures, and job offers, and breaks monotony. Management can be pretty boring sometimes. Say yes and you’ll quickly see how this momentum keeps your job dynamic and fun.
TL;DR
Just out of interest, write down how many times you say “yes” this week. Is it enough? Let me know the most surprising “yes” you have said this week.
Have a good one, Ivona
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