- Leading Greats
- Posts
- Leading Greats #96
Leading Greats #96
Leaders who say ‘NO’ accomplish more. Learn this for greater impact:
Ronnie Kinsey
January 19, 2025
The Power of 'Strategic No' in Leadership:
Saying "no" is often seen as a sign of resistance or weakness, especially in leadership.
However, in today’s overextended work environments, the ability to say "no" strategically is one of the most critical skills a leader can possess.
It’s not about refusal; it’s about prioritization, boundary-setting, and making space for what truly matters.
The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.
– Warren Buffett
At its core, a "strategic no" is a conscious decision to protect your time, energy, and focus from distractions that dilute your ability to lead effectively.
The leaders who excel at this don’t just avoid doing more—they make room for doing what matters most.
This is especially important in high-stakes environments where decisions must be made quickly, and every action counts.
Take the example of Steve Jobs, who famously emphasized the importance of saying no.
When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, he streamlined the company's product lineup, cutting down on the number of projects in development.
By saying no to countless potential ventures, he allowed Apple to focus on a select few innovations—most notably, the iMac, iPhone, and iPad—that would go on to define the brand’s future.
Jobs didn’t just say "no" to ideas—he said "yes" to a future that aligned with Apple’s core vision.
This ability to say "no" also has a profound effect on organizational culture.
Leaders who set clear boundaries and prioritize what’s essential create a healthier work environment, one where team members are encouraged to focus on quality over quantity.
It reduces the risk of burnout, fosters more meaningful collaboration, and helps avoid the trap of trying to do everything and achieving little.
When leaders use "no" effectively, it helps them hone in on high-impact decisions. It encourages deep work and protects their time for high-value activities.
For instance, leaders in high-performing organizations like Netflix and Google are known for protecting their strategic focus, resisting the urge to chase every emerging trend or market opportunity that doesn’t align with their vision.
They know that saying no strategically means preserving their creative energy for what drives long-term success.
Mastering the art of saying "no" is also an act of self-preservation. It’s about recognizing that you cannot be everything to everyone.
Leaders who embrace this principle understand that their role is not to do it all but to lead with clarity, purpose, and discernment.
The power of "strategic no" lies in its ability to free up space for what truly advances your leadership journey and your organization’s goals.
Saying "no" is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to the leader’s commitment to focus, health, and strategic vision.
In modern leadership arenas, it’s not just about how much you say "yes" to, but how much you can confidently say "no" to, in order to elevate your impact.
Consider this for a strong 2025:
What are you currently saying "yes" to that’s draining your leadership energy or diluting your focus?
Encourage leaders to take a step back and assess whether some of their commitments are misaligning with their core goals.
HOW I Can HELP YOU:
1.]
^ From decades of experience as a Leader and Executive Coach:
I empower executives, leaders, and professionals to identify and navigate impactful choices for operating with greater effectiveness in all areas of life and career.
➟ If this sounds like you, your organization, or someone you know => I can help.
I am available to clients for:
Strategy Hour; gain clarity, nail down strategy, or for a profile makeover to move forward rapidly
+
Structured Peak Performance & Growth coaching packages, tailored to your needs and goals + Retainer Agreements
+
Growing your Brand | Product | Services
**See CONTACT Links to follow below.
2.]
LinkedIn:
On LinkedIn I quickly grew from < 4k to > 100K followers in a few months!
I continue growing robustly at a relaxed pace, ~ 144k followers there now.
Be encouraged: you can gain this growth too.
Add focused support and grow much more dynamically = 10-50-100x!
Book a call today! My contacts are below in a few areas.
+
I am helping Ambitious Clients:
Increase your Target Audience reach right away.
Clarify your Branding | Sharpen your Profile.
Schedule in my FEATURED section on LinkedIn + link below.
You may email me, and DM on LinkedIn to start a conversation.
I Enjoy helping and seeing others grow!
3.]
Available for SPEAKING Events.
Member: NSA, ACHE, ICF
I have led a very dynamic life → Full of Challenges & GROWTH!
➟ My enthusiasm comes through as I am excited sharing my gains!
CONTACTS:
Let’s WIN Together!
The World Needs More Great Leaders!
I am working with ambitious CEOs, Founders, Leaders, and Professionals, Leveraging Excellence in Choice for an Extraordinary Life in all areas.
I have carved out niche packages to work with ambitious Coaching Clients ➟ this moves them to achieve the future they deserve & desire - Now.
➟ For those leaders and professionals interested in leading greatly at all levels of life, work, and relationships, you can start now.
Reach out to get a strategy call on the calendar so you can get closer to what you really want in life, work, and relationships at ronniekinsey.net
Here is What My Successful Clients are Saying:
"Ronnie’s expertise isn’t just theoretical—it’s actionable. Every conversation left me with clear steps that elevated my leadership."
- Founder
"Ronnie has an unmatched ability to simplify complex challenges. Working with him transformed not just my leadership skills but my entire outlook on growth."
- CEO
"Working with Ronnie has been transformative. His coaching brought clarity to my creative process, challenged me to push past self-imposed limits, and gave me the confidence to take bold steps in my career. Ronnie's ability to blend strategic insight with genuine empathy is rare and invaluable. Thanks to his guidance, I'm not only creating with more purpose but also seeing the results I've dreamed of. If you're ready to elevate your craft and your mindset, Ronnie is the coach to make it happen."
- Creator with a leaping multi-6-figure Social Media following
"In just a few sessions, Ronnie helped me identify blind spots I didn’t know I had. His coaching style is practical, insightful, and deeply effective."
- Keynote Speaker
"I came to Ronnie overwhelmed and left with clarity and confidence. His ability to guide without pushing is a true art."
- PhD
"Ronnie is the coach you want when stakes are high. He has a gift for asking the right questions that drive impactful change."
- CFO
Thank YOU for reading Leading Greats!
Consistently, I appreciate your time and support here!!
Feel free to offer feedback.
Happy to hear from you! Hit REPLY.
PLEASE share my newsletter - tell others to subscribe for FREE.
Make 2025 be your best-led year so far!
Until next time - Keep it Great,
-Ronnie
Executive & Leadership Growth Coach
#1 LinkedIn Global Growth > 100,000 followers in mere months
#4 Favikon Global Leadership & Management [Simon Sinek @ #3]
Leader | Advisor | Speaker | Writer
When you are ready, schedule a strategy call for working together:
Click here to book a call together:
Interested in starting - or migrating a Newsletter?
I use beehiiv.com now. I highly recommend it!
Maybe you’re thinking of migrating from your current newsletter platform?
First I started my newsletter on a different platform then I migrated here to beehiiv.com for ease of use.
If you are on another newsletter platform come enjoy the experience of beehiiv.com !
If you are looking for a full newsletter resource tool that helps you navigate the vast intricacies of starting, building, and growing a newsletter I highly recommend starting with beehiiv.com.
I hear from the beehiiv.com CEO weekly. That makes it personal!
Ready to start now, click here beehiiv.com.
Partner Disclosure: I may use affiliate links in my publications. I only recommend products that I use and appreciate. If you click them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my work and allows me to continue to provide valuable content. Thank YOU for your support!