Saying "No" ... You should never say "No". Remember - you're are, first and foremost, as a human being in some organization, a salesperson. It doesn't matter what position you do or what skills you have. It doesn't matter because you are attempting to sell your ideas / experience / qualifications / whatever to someone else.

If you ask an experienced salesperson, you'll learn that one should always emphasize the positive and de-emphasize the negative.

Don't say "No, you stupid ass!". Say "Hmmm ... could you explain a little more what you're trying to do?"

Don't say "No, you bumbling fool!". Say "Let me study the problem and I'll get back to you tomorrow."

In short, coddle the stupid bumbling fool/ass, make them happy, and now you've got a friend for later usage.

P.S. - Do you ever want to know whether the accountant is using method A or method B? You have to train your customers to think the same about you. And, do you think of an accountant as an engineer or a craftsman?

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