In English, outright saying “NO” is often considered impolite. It’s important to learn how to decline requests or offers in a way that doesn’t offend the asker. While some might opt for a straightforward “NO,” softening a negative response can be more #diplomatic and less abrupt when NEEDED.

Learning the nuances of diplomatic language enables you to say “NO” in a more accepted manner.

For instance, informal rejections like:
“NO,” “NO way,” or “Nah” can be too direct.

A more diplomatic approach involves phrases like:
“I’m afraid not,” “No, I’m sorry,” or “No, really.”

The key is not to use “NO” in isolation.

A personal favorite technique of mine is to replace “NO” with “Actually” and follow it with a brief explanation.

Example:
Question: -Can my lawyer meet with you tomorrow by 9 am?
Answer: -Actually, my board meeting will finish by 11. Can we make it
by 12 pm?

Answering Actually followed by a small explanation tends to be less offensive and can prevent tension during #strategic meetings. It’s worth trying this method to see the positive difference it can make in your #communicationskills .