Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos

Turning a “no” into a “yes”

Episode Summary

Turning a “no” into a “yes” depends a lot on why the “no” happened in the first place. A “no” is rarely final—it’s often a placeholder for “not yet,” “not like this,” or “I need more information.” Listen for Karen’s stories to show how she’s turned no’s into opportunities, and how you can do it, too.

Episode Notes

Here are some strategies you can use:

1. Listen First, Understand the “No”
   Show genuine curiosity about their perspective. Ask questions, listen without interrupting, and validate their concerns to build trust.
    
2. Reframe as Collaboration
   Shift the conversation from your request to a shared solution. Position it as: “How can we make this work together?” instead of “Why won’t you do this?”
    
3. Offer Flexible Paths Forward
   Instead of pushing for one outcome, propose options or smaller steps. This shows respect for their needs while keeping the door open to agreement.

👉 Quick Example:
If your boss says “No budget for this project”, you might respond:

• “I understand. If we could do a scaled-down version that fits within the current budget, would you be open to that?”

Some resources for you:

Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos