Re: Re: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!

[inman]

"No" is a perfectly legitimate response to any question as long as it is followed up by the reason why. An experienced salesman will always try and understand the needs of the customer and work with them to provide useful information. A salesman who adopts this approach is likely to initiate a long term relationship which leads to repeat sales.

The ability to say "No" is vital for survival. How many children would be around today if their parents had said "Jonny, I think that you had better consider the effect that putting your finger in the electrical socket will have on your future" rather than "No! Don't do that!!".

Adults are like children but with less honesty. We spend all our time trying to please others even if this means hiding the truth and distorting the facts. Taken to extremes, this is called politics - we all trust politicians, don't we?

Technology projects of any kind can succeed or fail for numerous reasons. Lack of trust and poor communication between implementors and decision makers plays an important part in how a small mistake can become a catastrophe. The ability to say "No" is a vital first step to truth and openness.