How to Say No—GLS22 Faculty Spotlight

The first African-American president of an aviation brand. A cancer survivor. A mother. An award-winning leadership speaker and sales coach. There is simply no one quite like Stephanie Chung, Chief Growth Officer of Wheels Up, and former CEO of JetSuite. As a business leader with over 30 years of experience catalyzing transformative growth in the aviation sector, she has empowered her teams to reach new heights. Now Stephanie is taking the insights that have led to her success and sharing them with leaders around the world.

With a blend of cutting-edge science, proven leadership strategies, personal stories, and her trademark sense of humor, we’re excited to welcome Stephanie Chung to The Global Leadership Summit stage in August 2022! Get Tickets >>

Until then, enjoy a preview of her helpful insights and tips on how to say no, and discover how to focus on what’s important to you and your values.

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How to Say No

Have you ever found there are times when you are just overwhelmed and stressed out because you’re overextended? Because at the end of the day you’re doing way too many things and a lot of those things you don’t actually want to do—because you don’t know how to say no?

“No”—though it’s two simple letters, sometimes it’s a really difficult word to say.

This is a message for the people pleasers. I’ve been there. There are times when people will want us to do this, that, and the other. And before you know it, we’re over committed, overstressed, and we are regretting the whole time we’re doing it because we didn’t want to do it in the first place.

I’ve learned very quickly I’m allowed to say no, gracefully, and without guilt.

I’ve learned very quickly I’m allowed to say no, gracefully, and without guilt.

When someone asked me, Steph, could you do this, or can you participate in this? Or can we sign you up for that?

What I say is:

• • “Thank you so much for thinking of me. Unfortunately, I’m not going be able to participate, but I appreciate you thinking of me nevertheless.”
  • “Wow. Thank you. I can’t do it but thank you so much for thinking of me.”

I don’t then give them a whole lot of other things. For example…

• • What I don’t say is:
  • “Let me think about it.”
  • “Maybe check back with me.”
  • “Maybe I’ll get back to you.”

I don’t do all that because the reality is, if you don’t want to do it today, you probably don’t want to do it tomorrow. So, why prolong the inevitable? Just say it and don’t feel guilty about it. Your priorities are really important. I’m focused on always doing first things first.

If you don’t want to do it today, you probably don’t want to do it tomorrow.

When you struggle with saying no, play around with those words, marinate on them, make them your own, but be OK with learning how to say “no.” You’re smarter than you think, and cooler than they ever told you.

Want to grow in your leadership? Hear more from Stephanie Chung on August 4-5, 2022, at The Global Leadership Summit. Get Tickets >>