When some boss comes up with a request that’s going to result in work for a team, how do you present that to the team? The executive may have a number of positive reasons for making the request that range from protecting political capital, ensuring complete analysis is done, being prepared to answer an anticipated question, or setting up a future move. Can you explain why the request is being made? Do you?

Option A

“Hey team, you know that thing you’ve been working on for weeks. The boss wants you to take a completely different approach and research option B. Have numbers on my desk by the end of the day.”

Team member’s perspective – Option B was a bad idea. I told you that. You’re an idiot and so is the boss. What the heck are we doing around here…

Option B

“Hey team, we’re getting ready to present option A and the boss is worried that a particular constituent won’t be happy so she’d like us to come up with the cost factors for option B so she’ll be ready to shoot this down before the idea gets legs.”

Team member’s perspective – my bosses are pretty smart. I learned something about how the organization works and how to prepare my bosses to support our work.

Option A took 37 words. Option B took 48 words. Eleven extra words can create a huge difference in the development of your team and how they perceive the organization. Option A represents performing a task. Option B represents leadership. And see, it doesn’t take that much more time to make this positive impact that will pay dividends long into the future. It’s these little things that differentiate a “championship team” from a “department.”

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