# 27. Can't Say No at Work? Here's How to Start (Without the Fallout)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-therapy-with-dr-abby-medcalf-7529602/27-can-t-say-no-at-work-here-s-how-to-start-without-the-fallout
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-therapy-with-dr-abby-medcalf-7529602/27-can-t-say-no-at-work-here-s-how-to-start-without-the-fallout.md
Podcast: [Workplace Therapy with Dr. Abby Medcalf](https://stenobird.com/podcast/workplace-therapy-with-dr-abby-medcalf-7529602)
Published: 2026-05-20T23:00:34+00:00
Episode link: https://abbymedcalf.com/saying-no-at-work-people-pleasers-guide
Audio file: https://audio4.redcircle.com/episodes/5dd2f70f-7da8-41d1-b0f9-807f2ab81382/stream.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1305

## Resource

Last episode, I told you why you can't stop people-pleasing at work. Today, I'm giving you what to actually say because knowing the pattern isn't enough. When your boss drops something on your desk at 4pm Friday, or a colleague asks you to cover for them again, or you're sitting in a meeting watching a bad decision get made and nobody's pushing back, you need words. Ones that don't blow up the relationship, don't make you sound difficult, and don't send you home replaying the conversation for three hours. That's what today is. Six situations where people-pleasing shows up most at work, and the exact language to handle each one without losing yourself or burning a bridge. ____________________________ Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/saying-no-at-work-people-pleasers-guide Grab the No Without the Drama Script Card: https://abbymedcalf.com/no-script-card Join my online community, One Love Collective, on Substack: https://abbymedcalf.com/substack You'll get... ✨ Early drops + ad-free podcast episodes ✨ Worksheets, journal prompts, downloads, and guided visualizations ✨ Community chats and live Q&A calls with Abby _________ Subscribe to the Love Letter and get my little messages each week! https://abbymedcalf.com/loveletter-opt-in/ 👉 Pick up a copy of my new book, Boundaries Made Easy: Your Roadmap to Connection, Ease and Joy: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries 👉 Pick up The Workbook: Boundaries Made Easier to use as a companion to the book or as a standalone masterclass: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries-workbook 👉 Buy my #1 bestselling book on Amazon, Be Happily Married: Even If Your Partner Won’t Do a Thing: https://abbymedcalf.com/book ____________________________ Looking for past episodes of the Relationships Made Easy Podcast? Head over to https:…

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## Transcript

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