By Nelson Semanu BOANDOH-KORKOR and Elizabeth BOANDOH-KORKOR
So it happened that after three days they discovered Him in the temple, seated among the teachers, while He listened to them and posed questions to them. ~Luke 2:46 NKJV
The Silent Struggle
Victoria served as an assistant project manager at a software firm where she aimed to demonstrate her capabilities. Eager to show her worth, she frequently volunteered for assignments without seeking extensive details. Victoria felt that posing queries might reveal her lack of knowledge, hence she remained quiet whenever doubts arose about the expectations set forth for her responsibilities.
One day, Victoria found herself tasked with overseeing an important assignment that had a strict timeline. Although her supervisor provided a concise summary of the project, they did not delve into the specifics requested by the client. Without seeking clarification, Victoria decided to rely on figuring things out as she progressed through the task.
As the project moved forward, it became evident that Victoria had misinterpreted various crucial elements of the client’s requirements. The end result significantly deviated from the client’s expectations, forcing the team to restart the entire project from scratch.
Victoria’s supervisor was exasperated. "Why didn't you seek clarification?" she questioned. Realizing her quietness led to wasted hours, resources, and an important customer, Victoria felt remorseful.
The anxiety from questioning can leave you stranded.
Victoria’s tale illustrates the consequences of failing to seek answers. Often, we worry that questioning something might reveal our lack of knowledge or experience. However, this hesitation can be much more detrimental than admitting uncertainty. By not posing queries, you may misinterpret your objectives, resulting in errors, lost hours, and dissatisfaction among all participants. As an adage wisely states: "There are no foolish questions, and fools alone ask none." Victoria believed she grasped her client's requirements yet ultimately delivered work that fell short. This reluctance to appear unskilled led her group to spend additional weeks correcting their efforts and cast doubt upon her reliability. In conclusion, keeping quiet about uncertainties is perilous—not praiseworthy—when aiming for understanding.
Seeking clarification through questions isn't an indication of inadequacy—it's a mark of professionalism. This demonstrates your dedication to accuracy and highlights your commitment to maintaining high standards in your tasks. By posing inquiries, you're not merely seeking guidance; instead, you're showcasing your involvement and precision. Consider this: even the legendary physicist Albert Einstein stated, "The most important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence." Questioning helps prevent mistakes and illustrates your stake in achieving successful outcomes. In essence, asking questions benefits everyone involved—you achieve better understanding, while others view you as a conscientious professional.
Failing to seek clarification can lead to misunderstandings and errors, resulting in costly corrections. In one instance, Victoria misconstrued the client's requirements, causing a project to fail. A report by the Project Management Institute indicates that inadequate communication accounts for over half—specifically 56 percent—of project failures. This statistic highlights the importance of posing initial queries. By assuming she understood the client's desires without verification, Victoria delivered work that fell short of expectations, necessitating a complete restart. Valuable time and resources were squandered; these losses might have been prevented through straightforward inquiries like "Would you mind explaining 'X'?" or "Do you have an example I could review?"
Errors stemming from unclear information can prove very expensive. Victoria’s initiative needed to be entirely restarted, which led to wasted time and resources. According to studies published by the Harvard Business Review, poor communication leads companies to lose approximately $12,506 for each worker every year. This represents significant financial loss—a waste that could potentially be avoided through promoting a work environment where inquiries are welcomed. Victoria’s reluctance to request further explanation not only impacted herself but also extended to her whole team and ultimately hurt the firm’s profitability. A single individual's hesitance to voice their queries can create substantial repercussions across the organization.
If you refrain from posing queries, it might be perceived as a sign of detachment or negligence. Victoria’s supervisor started questioning her capability to manage intricate assignments. This often happens when one remains quiet due to uncertainty. Leadership authority John C. Maxwell articulates this idea succinctly: "Great leaders pose compelling inquiries that motivate others to envision greater possibilities, contemplate deeper insights, acquire broader knowledge, undertake significant actions, and achieve higher accomplishments." Consequently, by not voicing her concerns, Victoria unintentionally conveyed an impression of lacking full commitment to the task at hand. Her boss consequently developed reservations about her skills, potentially affecting her professional advancement negatively.
Bosses tend to have greater confidence in and offer advancement opportunities to workers who show dedication to achieving excellence. Victoria lost out on leading upcoming initiatives due to her reluctance to seek clarification. According to research conducted by LinkedIn, 72% of hiring managers consider curiosity and an eagerness for learning essential qualities in staff members. Conversely, those who refrain from posing queries are frequently perceived as lacking initiative and competence. The situation with Victoria underscores the significance of fostering inquiry and expressing one's thoughts openly. Raising questions serves not only to prevent errors but also to foster trust and establish oneself as dependable and meticulous.
What to do instead:
- Ask for clarification – If you have doubts regarding any part of a task, feel free to seek clarification. It’s wiser to inquire initially rather than risk making mistakes subsequently. The adage "measure twice, cut once" aptly captures this sentiment. Investing time in clarifying objectives might prevent expensive blunders ahead. Do not fret about appearing unskilled; most individuals value thoroughness.
- Take notes – While getting directions, make sure to write thorough notes. Doing this aids in retaining the crucial elements and spotting parts requiring further clarification. Research indicates that documenting your thoughts enhances memory recall by as much as 70%, hence pick up a pencil and notepad or launch a digital note-taker. Recording essential specifics gives you an anchor to look back at whenever doubts arise subsequently.
- Repeat back – Once you receive the instructions, echo them back to the individual who provided them to confirm your comprehension accurately. This approach, frequently referred to as "active listening," can be transformative. Not only does this verify your grasp of the information, but it also allows the speaker an opportunity to rectify any misconceptions early on. Despite being straightforward, this method significantly reduces chances for misunderstanding.
- Be proactive – If you recognize that you've misconstrued something, tackle it right away. Do not delay seeking assistance until it becomes impossible to rectify the situation. Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine." The earlier you clear up your misunderstandings, the simpler it is to set things back on track. Being proactive demonstrates responsibility and dedication to producing high-quality output, ultimately earning you admiration and confidence from others.
What now?
If you've hesitated to pose inquiries, now is the moment to shift your mindset. Keep in mind that posing questions doesn't indicate inadequacy—it demonstrates competence. Seeking further explanation allows you to prevent misinterpretations, achieve superior outcomes, and establish yourself as an individual with precision. Therefore, whenever you receive a new assignment, refrain from staying quiet; ensure to voice the queries that pave the way for your triumph.
Tips
- Tip #1: Create a set of questions prior to attending meetings or briefings. Doing so can assist you in staying on track and make certain that nothing crucial gets overlooked.
- Tip #2: Do not hesitate to ask "stupid" questions. Frequently, the easiest inquiries uncover the most vital details.
- Tip #3: If you're uncertain about anything, request examples or further context. This will assist you in grasping the task more effectively.
- Tip #4: Engage in active listening. Concentrate carefully on the directions provided and raise clarifying questions for aspects you find unclear.
>Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor: Nelson is an esteemed writer, publishing advisor, and Christian entrepreneur mentor. His interests include spreading faith through finance and he actively engages as a foreign exchange trader, digital currency investor, and supporter of virtual worlds.
Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA): Elizabeth is an exceptionally skilled Chartered Accountant boasting almost twenty years of expertise in financial management consultancy. Her career spans significant roles in both nonprofit organizations and banks. Feel free to contact her at +233549762233 or nelsonmbnbooks@gmail.com
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