So, one situation I’ve encountered far too many times is this: an employee is working on a project, and he has either a question or a blocker, for which he asks the appropriate person for the answer or next steps. He emails him or her, or uses whatever appropriate communication tool to ask him. And then he just sits there and waits for a response, perhaps 5 minutes, perhaps 5 hours, perhaps (but less commonly but I have seen it) 5 days.
You read that and you think it is absurd. Would anyone really do that? Yes, yes, yes. But here’s the kicker: it may even be you who has done, or is doing, that.
It’s the default for people, something in human nature is that when you want to get something done, you just pass the ball to someone else and wait until it comes back into your court. Framed that way, it sounds logical and reasonable. Hey, we’re working on this project, so I gave it to someone else, and when he or she is done with what they need to do (say, answer my question or do their part), then I’ll continue with my part. Right?
There are a few problems with this attitude.
One problem is that it fundamentally makes things go slowly. The person you asked the question to, he or she has a million things to do and it will take some time.
Another problem is that it inevitably leads to things getting lost. You sent him an email, and so did 110 other people today.
A third problem is that it signals that you’re not being proactive. Indeed, more than messaging, you’re showing you’re not proactive!
So how do you solve this? In three ways.
First, try not to ask questions or get blockers, instead, go around problems you can’t solve.
Second, once you ask a person the question you need an answer to, work on something else while you’re waiting for the response! Too many people just hang out while waiting. But if in that 30 minutes or 3 hours you’re super productive on other items, then this is how you become a machine, in the best sense of the word machine!
Third, while you’re waiting for the client or boss to respond… keep on reminding him, even annoying him, until he does. We’ve discussed this in a previous chapter. He or she wants to be reminded, and in fact, he or she will appreciate it. The default case is that things slip through fingers, and by ensuring they don’t, you demonstrate that you’re on top of it, and you make it happen. And that, more than anything else, is what your clients and bosses will appreciate. Well, that tied with great communication as well.
