Learn how to say "no" without offending other people.
1. Convince the other person that your decisions is in his best interest.
2. Delay - do not be quick to say
no. Explore every possibility first. Get all the information you can before you act.
3. Ask signaling questions to convey to the petitioner that a NO is in the making.
4. Apologize and mean it. When you say NO, make known your displeasure in doing so.
5. Never say NO directly. Say what amounts to it.
6. Compliment, surely, but don't flatter. Concede that somebody's request has some merit.
7. Offer a substitution or an alternative.
8. Avoid appearing mealy mouthed; say NO tastefully with tact.
9. Make it easy for the others to accept your disagreement. Say "Let's think about that.
10. Just be plain honest. Don't be brutal.