Understand That You Might Get a No (for Now)

There is no guarantee your manager will say yes—even if you did all your homework, even if you made a solid case, even if other people back you up. Your boss has the final say on what you work on, and it’s possible this project would conflict with their expectations for the future.

If you get a no, staying positive and professional may convince your boss to reconsider your request down the road. Here are some phrases to try:

• “I understand why you disagree with this and appreciate you explaining further.”
• “I wasn’t aware of those changes and am glad you brought them to my attention.”