Most team problems are not about effort or ability. They are about two people believing something was someone else's job, or the same thing being done twice.
For anything shared, make sure everyone can answer three questions: who is doing it, by when, and who needs to know when it is done. Most failures are one of those three being assumed rather than said.
"We will sort it out" is where work goes to die. Someone has to have a name against it.
A meeting ends with: we all agree we should follow up with the supplier.
What happens: Nobody calls the supplier, because everybody assumed somebody else would. Two weeks later it comes up again and nothing has moved.
What happens: Slightly uncomfortable to ask, and it is the single most useful question in any meeting. Now it has a name and a date.
I am the most junior person. Can I ask that?
Yes, and it is one of the safest ways to be noticed positively. Asking who is doing what by when is helpful rather than challenging. Most rooms are quietly relieved that somebody asked, because everyone was wondering.
Someone is not doing their part
Ask before assuming, because people are often blocked rather than unwilling. "Is there anything holding this up?" gets you the real answer. If it continues, raise it with your manager as a delivery issue rather than a complaint about the person.
Before you move on
- Always establish who, by when, and who to tell
- Ask the who and by when question in meetings
- Ask what is blocking someone before assuming
Check what you know
3 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.
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