Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place?
It happens for me when I “assume” there is a finite set of solutions to a problem – especially when I don’t like the solutions I’ve come up with!
Here’s a perfect example.
I provided a client with a proposal for a project. After I proudly hit “send” on my email, I realized I hadn’t accounted for a piece of the work that was potentially time-consuming on my end.
Argh!
As I was expressing my frustration over my rookie mistake with a colleague, she said, “Everything is a potential conversation.”
The light dawns over Marblehead!
You see, I “assumed” that I had to honor the proposal I sent. In doing so, I made a decision on behalf of the client without actually checking with the client, and I put myself in a box at the same time.
It’s with more than a little embarrassment that I share this with you.
I have conversations with leaders every day in which I ask “Have you had the conversation?” I feel like I “should” know better. Because isn’t it obvious to just have the conversation?
Yep.
Except in the moment, it wasn’t. It’s much easier to have objectivity about someone else’s challenges than it is your own.
Here’s where I led myself astray:
- I wasn’t trusting myself or the strength of the client relationship to broach the subject
- I wasn’t planning to advocate for myself
- I was putting someone else’s (presumed) wants and needs before my own
Here’s what helped me turn it around:
- I shared the experience with a trusted friend
- I was open to seeing the situation through a different lens
- I was willing to take action, even though it made me uncomfortable
With this new frame of mind, I shared my omission with the client and asked if they were amenable to revisiting pricing if my estimate turned out to be way off base.
Her response? “Absolutely. Always willing to have the conversation.”
Note to self… engage in the dialogue.
What assumptions are you making? This week’s call to action is to have a conversation.
