It can be a moderately firm request depending upon tone.
The thing is, it's not really the "no" per se but the fact that the manager has asked in a gentle way and internally expects a gentle response with context.
"I'd really prefer not to-- isn't XX supposed to handle that?"
"I can't, because I just have too many other tasks"
Internally, there's a bit of a "hot stove" reaction to "I asked gently and he just bluntly refused!"
The thing is, it's not really the "no" per se but the fact that the manager has asked in a gentle way and internally expects a gentle response with context.
"I'd really prefer not to-- isn't XX supposed to handle that?"
"I can't, because I just have too many other tasks"
Internally, there's a bit of a "hot stove" reaction to "I asked gently and he just bluntly refused!"