Express what you need and set a boundary

A clear answer can be both polite and firm

A colleague asks you to take on another task today, even though you already have agreed priorities. A vague “I’ll see what I can do” may create an expectation you can’t meet. An abrupt refusal can make collaboration more difficult.

State your capacity and suggest a next step: “I can’t finish this task today without pushing back the report deadline. Can we agree which task I should prioritise?” Assertiveness doesn’t mean always getting your way; it means speaking clearly, respecting the other person, and not pretending to agree.