The First Time I Said NO!

The first time I said NO, it cost me a client, but it saved my integrity.

A few months after my layoff, I had just launched my HR consulting business when I met with a company president in midtown Manhattan.

He needed an employee handbook, quickly.

We hit it off immediately, and the meeting was great… until he said, “Don’t worry about the details because I won’t really implement the procedures. I just need a compliant employee handbook to show the regulators.”

I thanked him for his time and told him I would think about our next steps.

During that train ride home, I weighed the pros and cons:
✔️ Pro: A financial boost for my new business.
✔️ Pro: A possible long-term client that could lead to other clients.
❌ Con: The cost of my reputation and integrity.

It didn’t take me long to realize that I had to say “thanks, but no thanks”.

And I’ve never regretted saying “No” for a single minute.

Lesson Learned: Every “no” rooted in your values clears the way for the right “yes.”
What’s the hardest “no” you’ve ever had to say in your career?

📈 If you want to future-proof your career, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Let’s talk so we can take the next steps together.

Send me a note at info@aimresourcegroup.com.