Stop Trying To “Read the Tea Leaves” — Clarify instead

It can be tempting to execute on what your boss/client tells you,
But if the direction doesn't make sense, or you think it contains conflicting thoughts,
CLARIFY!

High level people move quickly. They can't see what you're seeing in the field, so it's on you to let them know if you feel they are not quite on the right track.

If you argue / debate / eye roll, you may be perceived as arrogant and insubordinate -- probably not the look you're going for.

Effective clarification looks like "I hear you want this result are are asking me to execute on A and B." ... wait for a confirmatory 'yes' - then CLARIFY "As I'm hearing about A and B, I sense they are in conflict in that _____." And then keep quiet, and wait.

***This is a great moment for the partnership: perhaps you are missing something, and they will clarify and then you can get to work. Perhaps they were moving quickly, and you're pointing out a material discrepancy which will require further discussion and a revision of plan.

We aren't mindreaders. We can't know what's in someone else's head. And arguing your POV will do little to understand what someone else’s reasoning might be. Instead, clarifying gives everyone the opportunity to share what they're thinking -- it eliminates guesswork.

NB: Clarifying is very different from throwing up your hands and saying "just tell me what to do." This is an annoying victim strategy that leaves the authorship with the boss. Instead, you continue to own the task when you clarify... and once you get greater clarity, you execute and produce the desired result.

Less skilled / difficult bosses expect you to "read the tea leaves" and guess what they want;
This is a recipe for failure, disappointment and frustration.
If you're in a situation like this, find another boss/client -- it reflects a leader who lives in Fantasy rather than Reality.
If your attempts at clarification are met with "I've told you enough. Just figure it out" - let this be a red flag of who your dealing with.

In reality, we can collectively arrive at practical solutions which create a path forward;
Whereas, in fantasy or murkiness, we experience frustration and unmet expectations.

Are you good at clarifying? What prevents you from clarifying -- worry that the boss will be annoyed? It's much more annoying to spend a bunch of time producing the wrong thing. Have the harder clarifying conversation today and right set the mission.

#privateequity #growthequity #upwardcommunication