Saying No: The Art of Letting the Elk Walk Away

Saying No: The Art of Letting the Elk Walk Away

From Per Diem Podcast by Per Diem Podcast

April 16, 2026 · 47 min · Season 3 · Episode 53

About this episode

Keaton Turner discusses the importance of saying no in business and the art of letting go of unproductive projects.

In this episode, Keaton Turner begins with an apology and announces a brief podcast hiatus. He shares personal moments from a surprise retirement party and family celebrations, before diving into work and ongoing projects. Using an elk analogy, Keaton discusses the pursuit of big projects, weighing effort against opportunity, and recognizing when to walk away. He stresses the importance of communicating tough business decisions and shifting focus to smaller, manageable tasks. The discussion highlights the skill of saying no, evaluating customer value beyond price, and identifying project red flags. Keaton reflects on trusting instincts, finding peace in decisions, and wraps up with a request for podcast reviews.

People in this episode

Host: Keaton Turner

Topics covered

  • saying no
  • business decisions
  • project management
  • customer value
  • work-life balance

Keywords

  • saying no
  • elk analogy
  • business decisions
  • project red flags
  • customer value

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