The Hidden Cost of Saying "No" Too Often

Saying No is Powerful—But How You Say It Matters

For years, we’ve heard about the power of saying no. And it’s true—learning to say no is an essential skill, especially for designers who are often expected to do more, faster, and with fewer resources.

I tell my design mentees all the time: set boundaries, protect your time, and say no when needed.

But here’s what I’ve also learned: There’s a delicate balance.

Say no too often—or in the wrong way—and you might find yourself pushed out of key decisions. Teams start working around design instead of with it. By the time you’re brought in, the work is already too far along, and your influence is limited.

So the real question isn’t should designers say no? It’s how can we say no without shutting down collaboration?

The Problem: Designers Get a Reputation for Being Difficult

Designers aren’t difficult. We’re problem solvers. We ask the hard questions, spot risks early, and push for the best possible execution.

But when our first response is “That won’t work” or “This is all wrong”, it can create friction that makes people reluctant to bring us into conversations early.

Here’s what happens when designers are perceived as difficult:

• Teams stop bringing us into strategic discussions

• Decisions get made without design input

• We get stuck executing, not shaping the work

None of this means we should say yes to everything. It means we need a better approach to pushback.

How to Challenge Ideas Without Losing Your Seat at the Table

Influence isn’t about saying yes or no—it’s about steering the conversation in a productive direction.

Here’s how to challenge ideas without shutting down collaboration:

→ Shift From "That Won’t Work" to "Here’s What We Need to Make It Work:" Instead of rejecting an idea outright, identify what’s missing and provide a path forward.

→ Ask Clarifying Questions Before Critiquing: Sometimes, an idea isn’t bad—it’s just poorly communicated. Before dismissing it, ask:

• “What’s the goal here?”

• “What problem are we solving?”

• “Who is this for, and what do they need?”

→ Reframe Pushback as a Strategic Adjustment: Saying, “This won’t work because…” shuts the door. Saying, “Here’s how we can refine this…” keeps it open.

→ Choose Your Battles: Not everything needs a redesign or a total overhaul. Sometimes, small strategic adjustments are enough. Know when to push and when to move forward.

→ Earn Trust Through Collaboration: Teams respect designers who don’t just point out problems but help solve them. That’s how you build influence and get brought in early—where it matters most.

The Bottom Line

Saying no is an important tool—but how you say it matters.

If you feel like you’re always brought in too late, ask yourself: Are you making it easy for others to collaborate with you?

Next time you’re tempted to say, “This won’t work,” try: “Here’s what we need to make it work.”

That small shift can make a big difference.

I'm Barney, a passionate graphic designer and creative leader who loves exploring the intersection of design and mental health. Follow me for more insights into graphic design, creativity, LinkedIn growth, and how to manage your mental well-being.  

Looking for a design mentor? Here’s my ADPList link: https://adplist.org/invite/119516