Why You Have to Get Better at Saying 'No' If your people-pleasing ways are hurting your business and productivity, it's time to rethink your strategy.

A while back, I met with an employee to do an interim performance review. I was excited because I was about to surprise her with a significant pay increase in recognition of extra responsibilities she had taken on. At the end of the review I told her what her new salary would be, and the entirety of her expressionless response was: "I thought this would come much sooner."

You know that "wah, waah, waaah" cartoon sound when something ends in excruciating disappointment? Yeah, that.