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Crush Your Goals in 2022

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If you want to make things happen for your job and your career next year, and you want to set some goals to help you get there, you will want to download my free Crush Your Goals step-by-step workbook.

Supercharge Your Day

The *Secret* to Actually Getting Ahead in Your Workweek (without adding another huge thing to your to-do list)

Designed for driven women leaders, this 2-hour program packs a punch, teaching you how to manage your time more effectively and boost your career success. Supercharge Your Day is the ultimate framework for prioritizing your workday and increasing your confidence to take on larger roles—without guilt or burnout!

Teams That Trust

Advanced Communication for Complex Teams

Next Skills Camp:

November 6th & 20th

Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Pacific


The ability to work together interdependently is one of our least developed skills. Yet, it is the most vital in today’s landscape. The communication skill of connecting with others – and creating the emotional space for others to open up – requires deep trust. Without trust, leaders and teams struggle to achieve extraordinary results. In two 4-hour sessions, you will discover the underpinnings of trust and how to build trust at all levels.

Amplify Your Executive Presence

Develop your influence, be seen as a rising leader

Learn how to develop your leadership foundation, executive presence and leadership brand to gain influence in an authentic way that brings your personal strengths to the forefront. You will develop your gravitas and confidence to be seen as a leader while navigating the social influences that women must contend with in order to be successful in our current environment.

The words 'SisterSmart' in a cursive, light teal font, followed by the tagline 'EMPOWERING WOMEN LEADERS TO FULFILL THEIR VISION' in smaller, all-caps, light teal font, all centered on a white background.

13 Powerful (And Short) Ways To Say NO Kindly

career tips
October 01, 2025•1 min read

The winning formula for saying NO gracefully?

Don’t wrap your message in too much fluff.

Kind, clear, and confident is what lands best.

🔸 13 Powerful (And Short) Ways To Say NO Kindly:

1/ I'm honored, but I’ll need to decline
⇢ Keeps things warm, without leading anyone on

2/ Grateful for the ask, but my plate is already full
⇢ A simple way to say no without burning bridges

3/ Let me sit with this. Can I circle back with you?
⇢ Gives space to assess before committing

4/ I might be able to assist in a different capacity
⇢ Expresses openness without saying yes to everything

5/ I’m open to ideas, but this isn’t the best timing
⇢ Shows interest, while protecting your time

6/ It's a great ask, but doesn’t quite align for me
⇢ Makes it about fit, not the person

7/ I can't give this the focus it truly requires
⇢ Demonstrates thoughtfulness and integrity

8/ I can’t jump in right now, but it’s a possibility later
⇢ Creates clarity while leaving a door slightly open

9/ I’m choosing to protect my time, so I’ll pass for now
⇢ Models self-leadership without guilt

10/ Trying to honor current priorities, so can’t add more
⇢ Communicates intentionality with grace

11/ I’d love to help, but I have existing obligations
⇢ Keeps it kind without compromising your time

12/ Appreciate it, but I’m not able to commit at this time
⇢ Polite and to the point, no drama

13/ I’m stretched thin right now. Appreciate your patience
⇢ A human, honest way to draw a boundary

You don’t owe anyone an over-explanation.
A clear no respects both your time and theirs.

An infographic titled "13 Powerful (And Short) Ways To Say NO Kindly." It provides a numbered list of 13 phrases for politely declining requests, such as "Grateful for the ask, but my plate is already full," and "I'm choosing to protect my time, so I'll pass for now." A drawing of a professional woman in a light green blazer and yellow pants is on the right side.

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Crush Your Goals in 2022

Yearly Planner

If you want to make things happen for your job and your career next year, and you want to set some goals to help you get there, you will want to download my free Crush Your Goals step-by-step workbook.

Supercharge Your Day

The *Secret* to Actually Getting Ahead in Your Workweek (without adding another huge thing to your to-do list)

Designed for driven women leaders, this 2-hour program packs a punch, teaching you how to manage your time more effectively and boost your career success. Supercharge Your Day is the ultimate framework for prioritizing your workday and increasing your confidence to take on larger roles—without guilt or burnout!

Teams That Trust

Advanced Communication for Complex Teams

Next Skills Camp:

November 6th & 20th

Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Pacific


The ability to work together interdependently is one of our least developed skills. Yet, it is the most vital in today’s landscape. The communication skill of connecting with others – and creating the emotional space for others to open up – requires deep trust. Without trust, leaders and teams struggle to achieve extraordinary results. In two 4-hour sessions, you will discover the underpinnings of trust and how to build trust at all levels.

Amplify Your Executive Presence

Develop your influence, be seen as a rising leader

Learn how to develop your leadership foundation, executive presence and leadership brand to gain influence in an authentic way that brings your personal strengths to the forefront. You will develop your gravitas and confidence to be seen as a leader while navigating the social influences that women must contend with in order to be successful in our current environment.