It’s such a short word, yet it can be so hard to say.

“No.”

It has a bit of a bad rap, too: it makes you seem negative and shows you’re not a team player if you say it too much.

But our go-to career guy Brandon Smith says it’s important to keep it in your vocabulary and flex your “no” muscle from time to time.

Brandon Smith teaches about leadership, communication, and workplace culture at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. More of his advice is on his blog and at theworkplacetherapist.com. And while you’re there, ask him your workplace or career question. We might use your question on a future radio segment.

Tags: career counseling, Brandon Smith, workplace, working, career