Who Receives the No Behind Your Yes?

Every yes has a no attached to it.

Most of us just aren't the ones deciding who hears it.

Years ago, I agreed to take another department under my wing. On paper, it was an easy yes. A vote of confidence. A bigger scope. It looked great on my resume.

But the department heads already reporting to me had less of me. Less time, less attention, less availability when they needed a sounding board or a decision. My effectiveness didn't grow with my title. It got diluted.

The yes was mine. A good part of the no landed on them.

I wrote about it for Influential Women, including a question I wish more leaders asked before handing someone one more thing:

"What would you need to set down to take this on?"

Before your next yes, who will be receiving your no?

#leadership #boundaries #influentialwomen #musingsofarecoveringexecutive