Agreed on the personal contexts - and also where I expected the article to go. I think a better argument for professional contexts is that everyone is expected

Agreed on the personal contexts - and also where I expected the article to go. I think a better argument for professional contexts is that everyone is expected to maintain a certain level of professionalism and politeness - including CEOs. Or in other words I don't think the obligation comes from the company hierarchy, but from being in a professional context at all (for example working with someone at a different company). A solid article on the personal context no's for anyone reading by is by Captain Awkward: https://captainawkward.com/2011/03/23/the-art-of-no/ https://captainawkward.com/2011/03/23/the-art-of-no/