Question

【题目】How to Say No to Your Boss

Saying “no” to a request can be a difficult thing, especially when the person making the request is your boss.【1】The following steps are helpful.

Give yourself some time to think about the request before saying “no”.

If the request arrives via email, don’t reply right away.

【2】If your boss asks you in person or on the telephone, request some time to give it thought and tell her you will get back to her by a specific time. Consider the request carefully to determine whether you have to say “no”.

Prepare your answer before telling your boss “no”.

Anticipate questions she might ask in response to your answer, and decide how you want to answer them. Rehearse your conversation with your boss out loud to help build your confidence before the real conversation.

Choose the right time and place to speak with your boss.

Have the conversation in private if your work situation allows you to get a moment alone with your boss. Keep in mind your boss’s workday pressures and work style. If she is a morning person and gets grumpy(脾气暴躁的)in the afternoon, be sure to speak with her before lunch.

【3】

If your boss is asking you to take on more responsibility, that shows that she has faith in your ability to do the job. Acknowledge that it means a lot to you before telling her that you feel you cannot do it.

Tell your boss why you have to say “no” to the request.

【4】Your boss will be grateful that you answered honestly, rather than trying to take on a project you cannot handle.

Offer an alternative solution.

For example, if your boss asks you to serve on a committee, suggest someone else in the company that you think may be interested and capable of serving.【5】

A. Pay your boss a compliment while denying her request.

B. Even if you try your best to do everything the boss lets you do, there are times when you can’t do and have to say “no”.

C. Put yourself in your boss’s shoes and consider how the company will be affected if you refuse the request.

D. Maybe you could offer to share the workload with someone else.

E. Most employers respect honesty in their employees.

F. Try a compromise.

G. Set the request aside and think about it for a while.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】G

【3】A

【4】E

【5】D

【解析】试题分析：本文给出了如何对你的老板说“不”的步骤。

【1】B 根据上句：对一个请求说“不”可能是一件困难的事情，尤其请求的人是你老板。再根据下句：下面这些步骤是有用的。故B项Even if you try your best to do everything the boss lets you do, there are times when you can’t do and have to say “no”.（即使你尽最大的努力去做老板让你做的每件事情，也有很多你不能做，你必须说“不”的时候。）串联上下文，故选B。

【2】G 根据上句：如果请求用邮件发来，不要立刻回答。故G项“把请求搁在一边，考虑一会儿”符合语境，故选G。

【3】A 此题是一个小标题。根据下文：如果你的老板想让你承担更多的责任，说明他信任你。根据常识：拒绝她的请求时，要给你的老板一个赞美。故选A。

【4】E 根据下句：你的老板会很感激你诚实的回答，而不是试图接受一个你无法处理的项目。故多数老板尊重员工的诚实。故选E。

【5】D 根据上句：公司里的其他人，你认为可能有兴趣，有能力服务。故下句的意思是：你可以提供与别人分享工作量。故选D。