The Bidirectional 'No': Saying 'No' Right and Taking 'NO' in Stride

Tired of feeling trapped by too many demands and fearful of hearing—or saying—“no”? This interactive workshop dives deep into the transformative power of “no”—both in confidently asserting boundaries and receiving rejection with resilience. You'll learn how to respectfully say “no” to protect your time, priorities, and integrity while maintaining strong relationships.

On the flip side, you’ll gain tools to handle “no” without spiraling—by actually learning to let go. Letting go is a skill, not a mindset, and in this workshop you’ll practice using it in the moments when pressure builds—when your calendar’s packed, the ask feels unreasonable, or the “no” hits harder than expected. Through real-world scenarios, small group exercises, and practicing letting go techniques, you’ll leave equipped with tools to say and receive “no” effectively.

About Hunter Milligan

Hunter has worked and consulted at Fortune 500 companies and has experienced the full spectrum of challenges in software development. As a long time developer turned manager, he’s navigated the high-stress chaos of tight deadlines, shifting priorities, and working with diverse personalities.

For the past 15+ years, Hunter has been coaching teams and individuals to not only survive but thrive. His secret sauce? Practical strategies and easy-to-use meditation techniques tailored to the daily lives of developers and managers. Hunter is focused on assisting engineers to find calm in the chaos, boost productivity, and think with newfound clarity — all while remembering to breathe. After all, the code may be complicated, but staying calm doesn’t need to be.

When not traveling the states or the rest of the world, Hunter greatly enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and tai chi.

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