Message #2090

[countrigal]

I've always chosen the direct and honest approach.  Getting actual due dates/times for things allows me to know whether or not it will fit with what I already have pending and to give an honest response to cries for help.  For those who are more high maintenance I would simply say something to the effect that I would love to help them and will gladly do so after completely projects x, y and z which have a higher priority currently.  This has always been received fairly well with only a couple of problems.  Since I only worked for one boss but had many co-workers who relied upon 3 admins to support them bossie was never a problem.  He told me what priorities were and I kept to them based on the daily changing needs in the office.  If a co-worker decided that my saying no or not prioritizing them higher was a problem, then they complained to him and he would come ask me about it.  At that point I could state what the projects were, with their due dates/priority and he could either agree or steer me towards a different set of priorities.  Normally he would agree with my priorities and it would be dropped, occasionally I was unaware of a change in needs and would then make the change on the priority accordingly.  We had a smooth working relationship and he was a great help in working with so many varied workgroups.  



Overall, my ability to be polite and honest when saying no (or just waiting for them to decide that my timeline wouldn't work for them, thereby not actually saying no but not getting the work) has worked well for me, taught me to delegate work when needed and allowed me to continue my upward mobility in this company.