Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I have a terrible block when it comes to writing (back to) people. I get very anxious about writing the “right thing” in different situations — when I need to say no (even for a trivial reason like “I don’t have time this week for a call”), when I’m not exactly sure […]

Here’s a round-up of advice about how to say no at work. the basics how to say no to a work request can I flat-out refuse to do a project? how to say “that’s not my job” how to tell someone “this is your job, not mine” how to tell coworkers “you need to do […]

A reader writes: My first job after university was at a horrible company on a particularly toxic site in a traditionally problematic industry. Long hours, most people working away from their families, and there was a “work hard play hard” mentality that crossed so many HR lines it wasn’t funny. Sexism, racism, and homophobia were […]

A reader writes: In my both professional and personal life, I notice a common theme, and I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong. I manage people in my work life, and am the chair of a not-for-profit in my personal life. In both situations, I notice that I have a lot of difficulty getting people to […]

A reader writes: I work in municipal government, and often we get requests that we need to say “no” to. In this case, a constituent asked for a bus stop outside of her building. This wouldn’t be unreasonable, except there is no bus route on the street in question. This kind of confusion happens sometimes, […]