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There are probably endless variations of this. I've grown fond of "Which of my current priorities should I move to the back burner?" That's a useful way to avoid having some new task dumped on you, and it avoids a forceful "no" that wouldn't align with office politics. Plus, you have to love the passive aggressive nature of it.
This is the correct answer. Align on priorities with your client, and when new priorities arise, ask them where the new priority falls and articulate the impact this will have on other deliverables.
You should just say no…do you work with kindergarteners?
In client work, a contextless "no" doesn't fly.
Rising Star
Are you saying no to more work from your boss or no to a client or colleague’s bad idea?
Saying no is perfectly fine
Rising Star
Kindergarteners take no really well compared to some of the adults I’ve worked with 🤦♀️🤣
Usually I do just say no, but the TikTok was arguing that you should say other things instead to be more clear.
I hadn’t thought of the above phrases meaning “no”
Pro
When I was a retail manager, I used "be that as it may" a lot.
"I bought this here 5 months ago and it stopped working so I want to return it."
"Be that as it may, sir, our return policy is 30 days, so you need to talk to the manufacturer. "
As a teacher. "Be that as it may, your son did not complete the assignment, so he gets an F."
As an advisor: "Be that as it may, you don't have enough saved to retire now."
That is all corporate bull shit speak. If people are truly motivated by corporate speak, then by all means play that game for your benefit.
But then, are you motivated by the same word baloney? If so, you are truly an indentured servant, just like everyone else.
Play A Game of Thrones, and be happy.