Bungay Stanier distinguishes between good work (menial work) and great work (work that provides meaning), noting that when one is engaged in great work, they are more likely to feel satisfied with their job. He proposes that two clichés be abandoned from the lexicon: “It’s a good busy” and “Work smarter, not harder” (165). He claims these are true but useless maxims that do not provide practical advice or direction. Bungay Stanier then introduces the strategic question, “If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?” He reiterates that “Yes is nothing without the No that gives it boundaries and form” (165). There are two types of “no” answers: those of omission and those of commission. A “no” of omission is “automatically eliminated” and a “no” of commission “is what you now need to say to make the Yes happen” after someone says “no” (165). Bungay Stanier explains what the two types of “no” look like in the real world and demonstrates use of the earlier 3P model (projects, people, and patterns) as it pertains to a “no” of commission.

Bungay Stanier presents an informal poll he conducted on his LinkedIn page, which asks when someone should say “no” and when they should say “yes.