Well....No!

Are you hearing a lot of ‘no’ lately? Boy, I have, and in fact, there has been a flurry of ‘no’ coming from everywhere. Whether it’s from potential business opportunities or personal deals, it seems to be the norm of the year. Perhaps it’s a good candidate for word-of-the-year.

So, why is ‘no’ such a popular word? I believe it’s a word that’s deeply rooted in all of us since childhood. You often hear parents say, “No, don’t do that,” or “No, that’s not something you should do,” or “No, don’t tease the dog.” The list of ‘no’ can go on endlessly. In fact, at an early age, ‘no’ seemed so easy for a child to use to rebuff an adult, sibling, friend, and even the family pet. ‘No’ is probably high on the list of the first words children learn. ‘No’ seemed to be everywhere. So, it's no wonder that it's easy to say now that we are all grown up.

Where is “yes”?

Ok, yes, it’s not one of those defining action words like ‘no’ is. “Yes” usually needs a qualifier when said, such as “Yes, you can have a cookie, once you eat your dinner,” or “Yes, you can go play once you pick up your clothes.” It always seems there's something more added to yes. On the other hand, ‘no’ is pretty direct and is typically a response to an action or question, most often without explanation.

Unfortunately, ‘yes’ is a risky word that can lead to consequences. If you say ‘yes’ and the action fails, you end up looking bad. It’s better to stick with ‘no,’ right? Less stress and you won't get the “I told you so’s.”

And let's not forget about ‘maybe’. It lives on the fence, which is difficult, and always requires some qualifier. “Maybe, if you prove to me that you’re ready.” It’s such a hopeful word—one that can inspire continued effort. Boy, I don’t hear “maybe’ much in business either.

When it comes to innovation, ‘yes‘ is rarely uttered. It is difficult for the vast majority to trust a ‘yes’ when talking about something new, or something never seen before. I guess that’s just the natural fear of taking risks. If you say ‘no’, it makes it easier to move on with life, while saying ‘yes’ has you on the hook for accountability.  I don't know for sure, but I bet there wasn't a lot of ‘no’ coming from Steve Jobs.

Who knew that saying ‘yes’ would be so hard?

So, next time you're faced with a yes or no decision, take a moment to consider why you're giving a specific answer. ‘Yes’ will surely create opportunities, while ‘no’ will only deflate and push aside great ideas or innovative actions.

Besides, who wants to live in a world of “no”?