How Do I Say No? Discussing Strategies for Saying No to Stakeholders

Session Abstract: Given the expansion of the roles and responsibilities of the IR office, many professionals in IR and IE are expected to do more, either with constant or diminishing resources. It can be difficult to draw lines between your office’s duties and those of other offices or parties, particularly in an environment where expectations are constantly shifting. In this discussion group, facilitators will kick off the conversation with some of their own experiences balancing these evolving landscapes, setting boundaries around their responsibilities, delegating or working with campus partners to direct stakeholders elsewhere, or giving “no, but…” and “no, however…” answers. Then, we’ll turn it over to you to share your experiences, ask for advice on this topic from others in your field, and develop some broad strategies that we can all take back to our campuses.

Keywords: Saying No, Professional Relationships, Stakeholder Communication