"Scope creep" is the silent killer of careers. You say yes to one small favor, and suddenly you are the unofficial tech support for the entire floor.
The problem is, saying "That's not my job" makes you sound like you aren't a team player. To decline successfully, you must pivot from "Refusal" to "Referral" or "Prioritization".
The Core Translation
Internal Thought:
"I am not doing this. It is not in my job description and I don't get paid enough for this."
Professional Pushback:
"I would love to be of assistance, but given my current focus on [Core Project], I don't have the capacity to take this on without impacting our primary deliverables. Have we considered asking [Team X]?"
3 Scripts to Protect Your Time
Use the right script depending on who is asking.
Scenario 1: The "Referral" (You are not the expert)
Use this when someone asks you to do something another department should be doing.
"I'm probably not the best person to help with this as it falls outside my area of expertise. I believe [Name/Department] would have the context needed to execute this much more effectively than I could."
Scenario 2: The "Capacity" Defense (Your plate is full)
Use this when your boss dumps extra work on you.
"I’m happy to help with this initiative. However, my bandwidth is currently maxed out with [Project A] and [Project B]. If this is a priority, which of my current tasks should I deprioritize or hand off to accommodate this new request?"
Scenario 3: The "Future Help" (Soft No)
Use this for low-priority favors from peers.
"I'm heads-down on a deadline right now and can't jump on this. If it's not urgent, I might be able to take a look next week, but I can't promise anything at the moment."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't use the phrase "Job Description": It sounds bureaucratic and petty. Talk about "Bandwidth" and "Focus" instead.
- Don't apologize too much: You don't need to be sorry for doing the job you were hired to do. A simple "Unfortunately" is enough.
- Don't ignore it: Ghosting a request is unprofessional. A quick "No" is better than silence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if they say "We all wear many hats"?
Respond with: "I agree, and I want to ensure I'm wearing the hat that brings the most value to the company. Spending time on [Low Value Task] prevents me from delivering [High Value Project]."
Is it okay to say no to my boss?
Yes, but phrase it as a "trade-off" decision. "I can do X, but it means Y will be delayed. Is that okay?" Make them choose.