## How Can Product Owners Maintain Positive Relationships When Saying No? Show respect and gratitude by acknowledging the suggestion and thanking the person for their interest or trust. Even when declining, people want to feel heard and valued. For example: - **Acknowledge the idea:** _“That’s a great suggestion, and I appreciate you bringing it up.”_ By showing appreciation, Product Owners build trust and maintain strong relationships—even when the answer is no. >[!metaphor] >Saying no as a Product Owner is like being a skilled waiter when a dish is sold out. Instead of shrugging and saying, “No, we’re out,” you acknowledge their taste—“Great choice; it’s just not available today”—and suggest an alternative that fits their appetite. ></br>People leave trusting your judgment because you treated their request with respect, not dismissal, making them more open to your future recommendations. ## Works Consulted 1. [000267 Battling the Bloated Product Backlog](https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/battling-bloated-product-backlog) | Scrum.org | Accessed 25 Jul. 2025. ## Connections follows:: [[4.1 Product Owners Safeguard Value Delivery by Saying No]] topics::[[Saying No]], [[Product Owner]], [[Trust]], [[Rapport]] ![[Footer]]