Use gratitude instead of apology

Summary

• Use grartitude instead of apology

Details

• for example, instead of 'sorry i cant make time for this', say 'thank you for thinking about me. I am not able to make this opportunity'

References

• Managing up - How to get what you need from the people in charge - Melody Wilding

Quotes

She swapped apology for gratitude. Instead of “I’m so sorry I can’t accommodate this,” she’d say, “Thanks for thinking of me. I’m glad I came to mind for this task.” After delivering her boundary, Simone allowed her boss to consider her words before jumping in to fill the space with unnecessary backtracking like “Don’t worry—if speaking with the client is an issue, then I’ll just find the time to handle this.”

Related

• Communicate your feelings even in the business world
• Great communication is an easy way to improve business efficiency
• Use boundary phrases to define limits in your relationships
• Confront the reality of our limited control over events