The scariest five words you’ll hear after signing a project? Hey, just one more thing…
By the time that phrase surfaces, you’ve already spent hours proposing, clarifying, and compromising. Now you’re trapped:
1. Say “yes,” and your clean scope melts into a muddy mess.
2. Say “no,” and you risk souring the momentum—and the relationship.
There’s a third move: redirect the ask into Phase Two.
Instead of bracing for conflict, offer a path forward that honors the idea and protects the original deal.
Script it like this:
That’s a great idea. Let’s capture it for Phase Two to give it the full focus it deserves after we nail today’s objectives.
This method isn’t just about softening a hard “no.” It addresses deeper project dynamics:
– Protects scope clarity—so deliverables stay sharp, not shapeless.
– Preserves project momentum—so excitement keeps building, not stalling.
– Plants seeds for future revenue—so new ideas mean new contracts, instead of unpaid overtime.
Critically, this approach reframes you as a leader rather than a laborer. You are guiding the project’s evolution_, not _reactively serving requests.
In today’s market, where reputation is currency, mastering this approach is essential.
The way you respond matters. Redirecting instead of resisting may protect your work, your profit, and your client’s trust.