February 4, 2010SpeakStrong question: can suggestions wait?
Meryl,
Often times when I’m surrounded by deadlines I will receive a suggestion from an associate that requires a response. I’m working on developing a power phrase that would acknowledge the suggestion and suggest a course of action. I’d like to acknowledge they’ve been heard and at the same time put the ball back in their court.
I choose not to say something like “Intriguing idea, thanks for taking the time to share it. I’m swamped right now! I’m up to my lashes in deadlines and am busy juggling multiple projects. Just don’t have time right now to pursue this suggestion.”
That would be victim mentality at play and might insult the associate – or make them feel unimportant.
Do you have suggestions for tweaks?
Recommendation (after more correspondence)
So it seems what you really need to do is be clear about what you want and why, and then ask for it. Interestingly, I got this email from my McGraw Hill editor.
- I’d be more than willing to take a look at both proposals. Rather than send them to me now, though, since I’ll be out on vacation for a bit, email them to me after the New Year. That way, they’ll be at the top of my inbox!
Doesn’t that sound like exactly what you’ve been saying?
It’s kind of like a parent with 20 kids, who clearly can’t parent with the same attentiveness to each child that an only child gets. While they want each child to know they’re loved, there is a reality that must be accepted.
But since you do have periods where you’re more available, explain your project workload, tell them when the best time for you to review suggestions is, and have them ask themselves in between periods,
- Can it wait?
If it can, then ask that they hold those suggestions until the designated times. Otherwise, I assume you would want to field them as they arise.
If there are people who don’t quite get the message and offer suggestions freely in between times, your PowerPhrase is
Can it wait?
too, with a review of when you like to receive suggestions if it can
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I used to say: “I really want to make sure you have my full attention. Can we schedule a time when I will be fully focused on what you have to say?” it worked for me in the past.
Comment by Ashley — February 4, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
“‘Tis a PowerPhrase indeed.
Comment by merylrunion — February 4, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
If the suggestion is coming to you as an email, you could also create a folder and place suggestions in it to be read at whatever that better time is; thank the sender for the suggestion and let them know you will be reviewing it in the future. Of course that only works if you really do take time to review the suggestion when you say you will. If your schedule is fairly predictable, it could be a time set aside once a week or so, therefore becoming a scheduled event itself and reinforcing the idea for employees or coworkers that you really will follow through.
Comment by Kathleen — February 9, 2010 @ 7:15 am
Helpful post. Thank you!
Comment by M.Anderson — February 10, 2010 @ 12:33 pm