Dear Leader #0010
Dear Leader,
It's not their responsibility to read your mind. It's your responsibility to communicate clearly.
Full confession: I failed at this myself just a few weeks ago. I made the mistake of communicating too passively and ended up frustrating someone who just needed unfiltered and clear direction. So, as you read the below, know that I'm sitting right next to you receiving my own correction.
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If confusion and frustration are clouding a situation, let your first action be an assessment of yourself. Even if you feel like those involved should have sought you out for further understanding, the fact of the matter is, you can't control the decisions of others. You can only take ownership for yourself.
So, take a moment to think back. Was the hand-off bad? Did I not give them the full scope of why we're doing this? Was I too passive when I should have been more direct? Did I assume they knew things they didn't and leave out vital information?
More often than not, you will find something you could have done better. Even if there are missteps on their part to address, it will be a more empowering conversation if you start by taking ownership of your own shortcomings first.
