Flipping NO Responses Into ON Actions

Business owners and entrepreneurs expect to receive many NOs as they pursue business opportunities.  While searching for a new job, many people will receive NO in the form of a job application rejection email. It may state, ‘This time, we have decided to concentrate our attention on other candidates who we believe best meet the current needs of our organization.  Please be assured that your application was given full consideration.’  A human resources way of saying NO.  The other experience includes being ghosted and not receiving a response. Ageism is another form of saying NO to people 40 years and older seeking work in the modern workforce.  What gives? 40% of the United States voting-age population will vote for a 79-year-old man for president in the 2024 presidential race.  The role of the president of the United States of America is a taxing endeavor.  You can see the effect after four to eight years in office.

In a conversation, I recalled a colleague who worked in HR, and as a people manager, it was shared that when an experienced worker’s resume was received, there were serious conversations about how their experience may disrupt the team dynamics.

Further, the assumption was that this highly qualified, experienced person may want to run the show.  A Harvard Business Review (HBR) research article, Don’t Underestimate the Value of Employee Tenure, discovered that ‘age has no statistically significant effect on performance, but tenure does. (2023)’  The HBR (2023) research noted, “tenure can return greater-than-average value to the employer.”

 

The effect of prolonged NO responses can trigger you to question your capabilities or value. It may also cause you to withdraw from actively pursuing goals. Flipping NO responses to ON actions involves shifting from a mindset of I am the problem or patterns of withdrawals, hesitation, or fear – to one of curiosity, openness, and proactivity. This transition can create a positive shift in dynamics and results across teams, projects, or individual growth. 

 

As an organizational, executive, and team coach who supports leaders, teams, and individual contributors, I hear people's self-doubt and quest to move away from the NO responses. You cannot control changing the NO responses, but you can shift the mindset to ON actions.  The following are three ways to support flipping the NO responses into ON actions:

 

1. Practice reframing statements to highlight curiosity and possibility. Replace we/I can’t do this because… with how might we/I approach this differently?
2. Explore options that are outside of your comfort space.  Embrace openness to the potential of starting a career in a new field or trying something unexpected.
3. Do not let others define your narrative. Share your story proactively through various platforms, including social media. 

 

Some areas that I amplified with On actions include the following:

1. Volunteer for the ICF Arizona board.
2. Serve the youth ministry at my church (The Gathering at Tucson).
3. Volunteer for the Center for Non-Profit Coaching (CNPC)
4. Meditation and prayer walk daily. 
5. I started playing my guitar and writing music again.

As you see from my examples, you can lean into your passions and provide value for others as a generative and servant leader. The term "generative" emphasizes creating innovative solutions to your challenges. It's about using creativity, technology, and collaboration to generate new ideas and approaches to help you build a more resilient future.

Desired Outcomes

1. Embracing openness ignites creativity and enhances adaptability, empowering you to confront challenges and respond to changes faster and more efficiently.
2. Boosted morale and engagement: A mindset centered on "ON" actions generates a sense of positive energy and optimism. You'll find a greater understanding of purpose, encouraging you to show your true self, ultimately enhancing overall satisfaction.
3. Achieving better strategic outcomes requires aligning your actions with your vision. This alignment empowers you to pursue your long-term objectives more effectively and successfully.

 

In Closing

We live in a time when organizations have many talent acquisition options, including global talent markets. People are resilient and can use curiosity, openness, and proactivity to discover what’s possible in the current market climate. The truth is, I am no different than you. The NO responses are deafening, but I will not take NO for an answer and will pursue my ON actions.  Please do not lose hope. Flip the NO responses into ON actions.

 

Please contact me on LinkedIn if I can serve you and support your journey as a coach and learning facilitator. The link is HERE.

 

Thank you for joining us for the ‘flipping NO responses to ON actions’ micro-podcast episode.

 

The KnolShare with Dr. Dave podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, Audible, and wherever you get your podcast.

 

Check out my latest leadership book, Generative Leadership To Thrive, and the incredible story about the Ashanti MWendo series on DrDaveDuka.com.

These books are also available on Amazon.com as Audio, kindle, and print options. 

Thank you for listening. Remember, the journey to excellence is ongoing, and every step taken with an abundance mindset is a step towards thriving into resilience.

 

References:

Harvard Business Review. (2023). Don’t Underestimate the Value of Employee Tenure.  AAPL Publication. https://www.physicianleaders.org/articles/dont-underestimate-the-value-of-employee-tenure