No Is Not A Complete Sentence

Episode Length: ~15 minutes
Host: Bron Stephens, Executive Coach & ex-CEO
Podcast: Transform and Lead

Episode Summary:
Saying no doesn’t have to make you cold, difficult, or unreliable—it can be your most powerful leadership move when done right. In this episode, Bron shares the hardest “yes” of her career (and the lesson that came with it), explores the gendered double standards around saying no, and gives three real-world strategies to protect your energy, build trust, and lead with intention.

This isn’t about being blunt. It’s about being deliberate.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why women are disproportionately asked to take on invisible, non-promotable work
• The real cost of every “yes” that doesn’t align with your values
• How to say no without guilt, defensiveness, or shutting people down
• Three practical techniques to protect your time without burning bridges
• The research behind givers, takers, and why boundaries are a leadership skill

Mentioned & Referenced:

• Harvard Business Review – Are You Taking On Too Many Non-Promotable Tasks?
• Adam Grant – Give and Take book
• Linda Babcock – Research on non-promotable tasks (via CMU and HBR)
• The Science of Decision-Making: Neuroscience and Strategic Pausing – American Psychological Association
• Behavioural Economics & the Power of Framing

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Share it with a fellow leader who’s ready to stop saying yes out of habit and start leading with clarity.

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Learn more about Bron’s coaching and The Power Pivot program at bronstephens.com