How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 115

ideas are absolutely great, but I can’t take part due to other reasons
such as prior commitments (#1) or different needs (#5).
4. “Let me think about it first and I’ll get back to you.”
This is more like a “Maybe” than a straight out “No”. If you are
interested but you don’t want to say ‘yes’ just yet, use this. Sometimes
I’m pitched a great idea which meets my needs, but I want to hold off on
committing as I want some time to think first. There are times when
new considerations pop in and I want to be certain of the decision
before committing myself. If the person is sincere about the request,
he/she will be more than happy to wait a short while. Specify a date /
time-range (say, in 1-2 weeks) where the person can expect a reply.
If you’re not interested in what the person has to offer at all, don’t lead
him/her on. Use methods #5, #6 or #7 which are definitive.
5. “This doesn’t meet my needs now but I’ll be sure to keep you in
mind.”
If someone is pitching a deal/opportunity which isn’t what you are
looking for, let him/her know straight-out that it doesn’t meet your
needs. Otherwise, the discussion can drag on longer than it should. It
helps as the person know it’s nothing wrong about what he/she is
offering, but that you are looking for something else. At the same time,
by saying you’ll keep him/her in mind, it signals you are open to future
opportunities.
6. “I’m not the best person to help on this. Why don’t you try X?”
If you are being asked for help in something which you (i) can’t
contribute much to (ii) don’t have resources to help, let it be known
they are looking at the wrong person. If possible, refer them to a lead
they can follow-up on – whether it’s someone you know, someone who
might know someone else, or even a department. I always make it a
point to offer an alternate contact so the person doesn’t end up in a
dead end. This way you help steer the person in the right place.
7. “No, I can’t.”

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