HOW TO PROTECT YOUR TIME FROM OTHER PEOPLE
Your direct reports come to you for help or a decision; your peers want your support for their own goals; and from time to time, your boss wants a favor, too. Being smart about how you respond to these requests will let you make the most of your time and still support your colleagues appropriately.
- Know when to say no. When someone asks for a favor or offers an opportunity, ask yourself; is this work valuable to my organization? Is it important to my professional goals? Is it important to me no, will I damage the relationship? If none of these questions elicit a strong yes, then that's a good sign you shouldn't do it.
- Learn how to say no. if you've decided that it isn't something you can do, politely decline, delegate, or suggest a replacement. Some scripts for these awkward conversations:
- "Thanks for thinking of me. Unfortunately, my plate is full at the moment, and I have to say no. I'll look forward to seeing how your project turns out."
- "I can't take this on right now, but I'd like to offer the opportunity to Omar. He's been looking for a chance to take on more leadership in our team, and I think he'd handle this really welt."
- For your boss: "I'm not certain I can take this on successfully with my current set of priority. I could use your guidance on what's most important to you."
- Exit conversations. Sometimes all people want from you is your attention and even that's too much. But escaping from an enthusiastic conversationalist can be uncomfortable, so try these scripts:
- "Do you want to continue this conversation over lunch tomorrow? Right now I have to get back to work."
- "Can you send me an email about your question, so I can follow up later? Right now I need to finish this task."
- "Sorry, someone's waiting for this work so I need to get it done now. Can I swing by your desk in an hour?
- "I hate to cut you off, but ..." "Sorry to be rude, but ..."
