Mar 24, 2015
Why Is It OK When You Say It?
I recently asked a group of senior leaders how comfortable they thought people are telling their boss that they don’t know how to do something. The response was unanimously “not very”. The next question to this same group of leaders was “As a boss, what is your reaction when someone comes to you and says “I don’t know how to do this?”” The immediate response was, “How can I help?”
So why is it OK to be on the receiving end of the request for help and yet so difficult to be the person asking for help? Why is it that being vulnerable is still so hard to do?
Being vulnerable takes a great deal of business maturity and an environment of trust where it is safe to be exposed. And why would companies want to create such an environment?
Consider the business efficiency and effectiveness of an environment where people are encouraged to openly say “I don’t know”. It short-circuits the process of wondering, guessing and hoping that things will get done properly. Think of the time saved. Imagine what could be accomplished. Picture the engagement level of your employees and satisfaction levels of your customers.
Now consider how you make it OK to say “I don’t know” in your business.
Category: Culture
