“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” – Warren Buffett
The ability to say “no” is a transformative skill that distinguishes highly effective executives. While the inclination to say “yes” may seem like the path to success, there’s a frequently overlooked power in strategically declining commitments. Leaders who view their energy and attention as critical resources pursue opportunities that increase these elements while efficiently delegating or eliminating activities that deplete them.
Using the “power of no” and intentionally investing energy and attention results in:
- sharpened focus
- heightened decision-making capabilities
- mitigation of burnout
- reduced overwhelm
- enhanced resilience
- improved productivity
- greater creativity and innovation
- elevated overall results
Be Like Steve
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are.” – Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the iconic co-founder of Apple, was a master at aligning his energy with priorities, exemplifying a unique approach to resource allocation. Jobs often spoke about the concept of a “jar of energy” that we each receive daily. He believed that how we deploy this limited and precious resource significantly impacts our productivity and creativity. Every decision, no matter how small, depletes a portion of this incredibly valuable resource. Jobs understood the strategic importance of conserving his energy and attention for the most critical aspects of leadership.
For Jobs, this philosophy extended beyond the boardroom to his daily wardrobe choices. He famously adopted a uniform of a black turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers. This seemingly simple choice was, in fact, a very intentional decision to conserve mental energy. By saying “no” to the need to make decisions about what to wear each day, Jobs redirected that energy toward more impactful aspects of his role.
Making it Real: Action Steps
Where can you challenge yourself to use the “power of no” in your own life by treating your energy and attention as precious resources?
- Start by getting clear on what gives you energy and what depletes it. This can easily be done by checking in at the top of every hour and noting if what you’re doing enhances or reduces your energy. At the end of the week review your data to create your personalized insights.
- Find one thing a day (small steps count so don’t overthink this) where you can say “no” and start getting in reps to build your skill. For example, is that weekly standing meeting on your calendar because it actually produces value, or because nobody has had the courage to cancel it? What’s one decision you can make that eliminates others? What do you dread doing that could be done by someone else, or not at all?
- As your ability to decline is enhanced get more strategic with your perspective and up the ante. What really matters most? How is your allocation of energy and attention getting in the way of increased performance for you, your team and your organization? As your clarity increases expand the magnitude of where you intentionally say “no” to reap even bigger rewards.
Elevate your Leadership Potential
To learn more about building culture and executive coaching, reach out to Elisa for a consultation.