I would love a “no.” Don’t like my pitch? Just say no. Don’t want to write about my book? Just say no. Don’t want to date me anymore? Just say no (gently).
Nancy Reagan said it best. Just say no.
When did it become so difficult, impossible really, for people to say no? Women talk a lot about just saying “no” to taking on more work, to overextending themselves, to offering their business services for free, to lending money to people, etc. True, we do need to learn to stop saying “yes,” and start saying “no.” But it seems a lot of us have a problem saying either “yes” or “no.” And it’s driving me batty.
via www.linkedin.com
Sometimes silence doesn't mean no, it means a communication glitch. Recently, I sent an important document to a new company. I thought they hadn't responded and connected to them via their website. Turns out they had sent me a voicemail but my phone didn't alert me that there was a new voicemail waiting and I missed their message.
Fortunately, they sent me an email the second time and we were able to connect.
Lesson: Silence may not mean no. It may not mean Yes. It may mean nothing.