Business Quote by Lois Wyse
“The single and most dangerous word to be spoken in business is no. The second most dangerous word is yes. It is possible to avoid saying either.”
About This Quote
Source Business article: Leadership advice, 2015
The words “no” and “yes” can trap decision‑makers; avoiding both encourages nuanced thinking.
In simple terms: Avoid saying no or yes to think better.
Key Takeaway
Embrace nuanced decision making.
Themes
communication
leadership
decision making
business
risk management
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
strategic
When to use this quote
- Team meetings
- client negotiations
- project approvals
Key Concepts
Negotiation
critical thinking
strategic planning
Questions to Reflect On
- When could saying “no” be necessary?
- How do you handle pressure to give a quick answer?
A Different Perspective
May be impractical in urgent situations.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
