You Can’t — Really?

Jeff Mowatt

Sept 25, 2019

By Jeff Mowatt

As a customer, you’ve likely asked for alterations to products or services. Sometimes those changes are straightforward, such as adjusting a delivery to suit your timeline. Other times you might ask for a significant change from a project’s original scope. That’s when you discover whether the service provider genuinely wants to satisfy you, or they’d rather get you out of their way.

When the tables turn and you’re the one providing the service, here’s a tip to keep the customer chemistry positive. When responding to requests, rather than thinking, “I can’t”, instead switch to, “How can I?” It puts you in a problem solving rather than confrontational mindset. It’s better for the customer and better for you in the long term.

Come to think of it, perhaps developing the habit of thinking, “How can I” vs. “I can’t” would also serve us well when considering our other goals in life.

This article is based on the bestselling book, Influence with Ease by Hall of Fame motivational speaker Jeff Mowatt. To obtain your own copy of his book or to inquire about engaging Jeff for your team, visit www.jeffmowatt.com. Watch for more articles from Jeff in future issues.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • CSA Group Receives Greater Toronto’s Top Employers Award for 10th Consecutive Year

    CSA Group Receives Greater Toronto’s Top Employers Award for 10th Consecutive Year

    For the tenth consecutive year, CSA Group has been awarded as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This milestone reflects CSA Group’s continued commitment to fostering a workplace culture that supports employee wellbeing, professional growth, and community engagement. CSA Group’s global headquarters, located in Toronto, offers employees a range… Read More…

  • ABB Awarded Platinum Medal by EcoVadis for Outstanding Sustainability Performance

    ABB Awarded Platinum Medal by EcoVadis for Outstanding Sustainability Performance

    ABB has been awarded the Platinum medal from EcoVadis with a score of 84 out of a possible 100 points, placing the company among the top one percent of 130,000 companies assessed worldwide. EcoVadis is a trusted provider of business sustainability ratings offering a standardized, data-driven framework that allows companies to compare supplier performance. ABB… Read More…


Peers & Profiles