INTHEBLACK February 2023 - Magazine - Page 59
“There’s a big difference between a
development opportunity and becoming the
dumping ground for other people’s work.”
MICHELLE GIBBINGS, WORKPLACE EXPERT
TEAM PLAYERS
“If you can see that a colleague is struggling,
and you’re not able or even willing to help
them, then you’re not being a good teammate,”
says Michelle Gibbings, workplace expert and
the author of Bad Boss.
“If you acknowledge that they have a lot on,
it will make a big difference. You could say, ‘I’ve
got a heavy workload, and I can see that you
do, too. Let’s see how we can help each other.’”
Pausing before accepting can also be useful
in establishing boundaries. Unfortunately,
those who are quickest to help others often
end up overburdened with work, which can
lead to burnout.
“There’s a big difference between a
development opportunity and becoming the
dumping ground for other people’s work,”
says Gibbings.
WHEN TO SAY “YES”
Gibbings cautions that automatically saying
“Yes” to everything can lead to resentment
and bitterness in the long run.
“It becomes a vicious cycle, because you
have set a pattern of behaviour where you
always say ‘Yes’, so people expect that as a
response. When you try to say ‘No’, it becomes
much harder,” says Gibbings.
Service agrees, saying that managing
expectations is a delicate art and a “careerdefining skill”.
Striking the right balance between being
helpful and not being taken advantage of can
be tricky, Service acknowledges. Ultimately, an
assessment needs to be made about whether
the request is reasonable. Consider the context
– who is asking and what is their underlying
motivation? It could be a development
opportunity worth seizing upon.
“If you say ‘No’ because deep down you
are not confident, or you don’t think you
have the ability to do it, then you’re blocking
your chance to find out what’s possible,” says
Gibbings. “Saying ‘Yes’ is often a pathway to
career progression.”
Often the decision will rest upon the basis of
relationships and how valued you feel. A good
manager will provide adequate rewards and
incentives for taking on extra tasks, and
colleagues will look to return the favour.
If it is clear that the whole team is flat out
and you have the capacity to take on extra
work, Gibbings recommends saying “Yes”.
By contrast, “If you’re in an environment that
is chronically understaffed, and you are always
expected to do much more than you’re getting
paid for, then it tips the balance of no longer
being fair,” Gibbings says.
HOW TO SAY “NO” NICELY
If your mind is made up to say “No”, remember
that the way a request is declined matters. Tone
of voice is important. A curt response of “It is
not my job” is likely to have repercussions that
last well beyond the conversation.
“It can come across as defensive,
confrontational and that you are being
unhelpful,” says Gibbings.
“It’s better to have a conversation where you
say, ‘I’d love to be able to help, but I have so
much other work on. I really need to understand
where this fits with other priorities. Before I
commit, I need to see what else I can move’.”
Service recommends finding a way to protect
your time while helping someone achieve what
they need to.
“Focus the conversation on how the person
who’s asking you for support can find a step
forward – whether it’s with you, or someone
else,” she says.
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
Another tip is to focus on the bigger picture.
What kind of work culture do you value? How
will your decision affect it?
Finally, Service says that if your most
important stakeholder is asking for a favour,
be prepared to throw out the rulebook and do
your utmost to help them.
No matter what, do not refuse repeatedly.
People will stop asking you for help, and that
will block off future opportunities.
Also remember that the day may come
when you are the person needing an extra pair
of hands.
READ
an INTHEBLACK
article on getting
ahead by saying
“No”
BORROW
Words That Work in
Business: A Practical
Guide to Effective
Communication in
the Workplace from
the CPA Library
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 59
