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Showing posts from July, 2017

Elegant Rejection

We all crave acceptance.  Even more so we yearn for understanding and respect.   Likewise, whether we are supervisors or employees, spouses or parents, caretakers or dependents, most of us dread delivering bad news.  One approach that I've always relied on as a "go to" is to communicate rejection or denial without the use of a negative word.  That's right, no negative words!  Excluded from the lexicon are won't, don't, can't, no, but, is not, sorry, etc.  Some would say this is not possible. Although I've found favor in my career to have enjoyed gainful employment with several fine organizations I admit that for every acceptance there have been dozens, if not hundreds of rejections. The standard "reject" letter, if even provided, would often go something like: Dear Mr. McCarley: We have received your application for employment with our company.   Unfortunately you are not  one of the finalists for the position.  Your application will