Asking an extra question can prevent a lot of misunderstandings and wasted time. These are the problems that distract you from your big picture goals.
Imagine a workplace where a busy boss emerges out of his office and announces, “Don’t use the bathroom on Tuesday.” He then walks away.
Employees are unsure what this means. Instead of asking for more guidance, they interpret it as meaning, that while at work on Tuesdays, using the company bathroom is forbidden.
Next thing you know, on Tuesdays, employees are walking around like zombies because they are afraid to drink coffee, they’re going across the street to neighboring offices to use those facilities, and some become panicked at the sound of a fountain.
Was the boss trying to be cruel and turn Tuesdays into a bladder busting day?
Actually, no. He was referencing some construction that was going to shut off the water supply on that Tuesday. It wasn’t an ongoing problem. The work was completed in a matter of hours. But without specifics, people started to interpret the meaning of the message.
While this is a fictional situation, has a similar thing happened in your organization? To Clear the Path of these uncomfortable and costly misunderstandings, consider these steps:
Get Clarity
Everyone is guilty to being too busy to explain things in great detail. If you don’t know what you need to do, find out. It’s much better than guessing and guessing wrong.
Frame Your Question
If you’re worried about being a pest or seeming stupid, consider framing the question in a different way. Saying something like, “Just so I’m clear and can get the results that you want, I understand that what you’re telling me is…”
It’s a way of clarifying a remark without making the boss think that the statement was unclear.
Applaud the Extra Info
Thank the person for clearing up the situation. Think of this as positive reinforcement for good communication.
You can even say something like, “I’m so glad that you explained things to me. I almost wasted a bunch of time. Thanks for keeping me on track.”
Bottom Line: Costly mistakes can usually be traced to silly misunderstandings. Seek out clarity when needed.
