Breakout Spotlight: Mastering the Art of Saying No (Without the Guilt)
As women in leadership, we’re wired to say yes. Yes to more responsibility. Yes to that extra meeting. Yes to picking up the slack. And while our yes often comes from a place of strength—collaboration, service, and dedication—too many yeses can quietly erode our time, energy, and focus.
That’s where The Art of Saying No (Without the Guilt) comes in.
At the Women’s Leadership Conference this October in Green Bay, I’ll be leading a session designed to help you shift your mindset around saying no. Because here’s the truth: saying no isn’t about shutting people down. It’s about showing up more powerfully for what truly matters.
In this interactive workshop, we’ll unpack the internal narratives that make “no” feel so hard—especially for high-achieving women who pride themselves on being dependable and collaborative. Together, we’ll walk through practical strategies to communicate clear boundaries with confidence and compassion. You’ll learn how to:
Recognize the hidden cost of overcommitting
Redefine what it means to be helpful and supportive
Say no without apology—and without damage to relationships
Use language that’s direct, respectful, and true to your values
You’ll leave with plug-and-play phrases, real-time practice, and a framework you can use right away. Whether you're navigating a demanding role at work, trying to carve out space for strategic thinking, or simply protecting your evenings from one more commitment, this session will help you step into your no with strength.
Here’s how to prepare:
Before we meet, take a quick inventory. Where in your life do you find yourself saying yes out of guilt or fear? What would open up for you if you could reclaim that time or energy? Bring one or two real-life scenarios to the session—we’ll workshop them together in a safe, supportive space.
This isn’t just about boundaries. It’s about leadership. And it starts with one small, powerful word: no.
Can’t wait to see you in Green Bay.
Meet the Author
Melissa McCormick | Women’s Leadership Conference Breakout Speaker
Melissa McCormick is a seasoned executive coach and leadership expert with over 30 years of experience guiding women to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. As the founder of Grace & Salt Leadership Academy and host of the Top Floor, Please podcast, she empowers high-achieving women to own their voice and influence. Her mission? To help women lead boldly—without burning out.
Join Melissa on October 8 at the Women’s Leadership Conference in Green Bay for The Art of Saying No (Without the Guilt)—a breakout session that redefines what it means to lead with boundaries, intention, and strength.
Register today at: womensleadershipwi.com/register