Make Yourself Heard: Not Taking No for An Answer Even If You Feel Ignored

When we're brushed off, overlooked, or outright rejected, we all react differently. Some of us might back away, choosing flight, while others dig in their heels, ready to fight. So, what's your go-to?

Never Take No As An Answer

Vishwaa, a Senior Director of engineering in finance, learned valuable career lessons from Pam Maynard, the CEO of Avanade and her personal role model. She had the opportunity to have a career-altering conversation with Pam, who was several ranks above her at the time. Pam shared her career motto which has given Vishwaa strength in the face of rejection, "Never take no for an answer."

Never take no for an answer.

This mantra applies to salary negotiations, promotional discussions, or the pursuit of added responsibilities. "Never take no for an answer" is about holding a strong conviction about your worth and relentlessly pursuing what you deserve without compromise.

Don't Wait To Make Yourself Heard

One day at a company conference, Vishwaa found herself as the newcomer in the middle of a sea of male executives. Her goal was to make meaningful connections. She spotted an executive sitting alone and saw it as the perfect chance to engage.

With confidence, she approached him and asked, "So, what is it that you do at our company?" His response was short and dismissive, barely looking up from his phone. It was clear he wasn't interested in chatting.

But Vishwaa didn't let that deter her. She held onto Pam's advice: "never take no for an answer." So, she pressed on, asking for more details about his division's role within the company. Again, he brushed her off with a vague "it's complicated," signaling he thought she wouldn't understand. Back to his phone he went, leaving Vishwaa standing there, seemingly rejected.

Stand Firm In Your Presence

Where many might have retreated, feeling discouraged or questioning their place, Vishwaa stood her ground. She refused to be deterred by a lack of enthusiasm or outright rejection. She wasn't about to take no for an answer.

She continued to share about her role and the contributions she planned to make, undeterred by his initial lack of interest. This unapologetic attitude was about asserting her presence and value in a space where others might have chosen silence or departure.

Embrace an unapologetic attitude: assert your presence and value instead of choosing silence or departure.

Persist to Win Over People's Attention

Her persistence paid off. As she spoke, the executive began to pay attention, gradually showing interest in the conversation. It seemed her confidence broke through his initial indifference. "Hey, I apologize. My initial response didn't come out right," he finally admitted, acknowledging her properly for the first time.

He went on to answer her questions in detail and even invited her to lunch with his team, a gesture that turned their interaction from cold to collaborative.

Vishwaa remembered, "never take no for an answer," a motto that guided her through this interaction and challenges. Through her actions, Vishwaa embodies the spirit of never compromising on what she truly deserves. Through sheer determination and a steadfast refusal to be ignored, she turned a potentially discouraging situation into a positive, productive connection.

Worry Less About Judgment And More About Your Pursuits

When other women approached Vishwaa for advice, she noticed they often spent a lot of time worrying about potential judgment or being perceived as selfish. Vishwaa's counsel to them was to redirect that mental energy toward pursuing what you want, whether it's a promotion or a new opportunity. The fear of judgment should not paralyze you.

The fear of judgment should not paralyze you.

Don't retreat at the first sign of rejection. Giving yourself the time and space to demonstrate your personality or value can shift perceptions. It's much harder for people to overlook you if you confidently continue the dialogue. If you're being ignored, don't hesitate to speak up more boldly. Surrendering to the misconception that you're not worth someone's time is not an option. You have the power to ensure you're heard.

You have the power to ensure you're heard. Surrendering to the misconception that you're not worth someone's time is not an option.

Reflect

• When have you been dismissed or overlooked in a professional setting? How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to assert your presence?
• Think about a situation where you felt hesitant to speak up because you feared being judged or perceived as demanding. How might applying the motto "never take no for an answer" change your actions in similar future scenarios?
• Reflect on a time someone's lack of interest initially deterred you. How could persistence and confidence in your worth have changed that conversation?

Additional Resources for a Bold, Unapologetic Voice

1) Take the Assertive & Likable 10-Day Email Challenge

Take the FREE Be Both Assertive & Likable 10 Day Challenge. Get daily emails with a written and audio lessons plus challenge of the day. It's time to quit tip-toeing and start leaving your footprint. This challenge will teach you how.

2) Get the Book Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self-Advocacy & Bold Leadership

Unleash your Unapologetic Voice with the 101 inspirational stories of female leaders who dared to speak their minds at work and did so with diplomacy. Get your copy of the ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self-Advocacy & Bold Leadership’ book today.

3) Listen to the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast

Or start listening to the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically insights for more tips just like this one.