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 entry-level project manager at a software firm where she aimed to demonstrate her capabilities. Eager to take initiative, Victoria frequently accepted assignments without seeking extensive guidance. Fearing that inquiries might reveal her lack of understanding, she chose not to voice uncertainties, staying quiet whenever expectations were unclear.
Once, when tasked with heading an important assignment that had a strict timeline, Victoria received only a concise briefing from her supervisor regarding the project itself. The specifics related to what the client wanted were not thoroughly discussed. Without seeking clarification, Victoria proceeded under the impression that she would understand everything as she delved deeper into the task at hand.
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 redo the entire project.
Victoria’s manager felt exasperated. “Why didn’t you seek clarification?” she questioned. Realizing the consequences of her silence, Victoria understood that the delay had wasted not only precious hours but also financial resources and an important customer for the firm.
The anxiety from questioning can leave you stranded.
Victoria’s tale illustrates the consequences of failing to seek answers. Often, we worry that questioning details might reveal our lack of knowledge or experience. However, this hesitation is much more detrimental than helpful. Not posing inquiries can result in misinterpreting assignments, leading to errors, lost time, and irritation among all parties concerned. As an old adage states: “There are no foolish questions, only foolish silence.” Victoria believed she grasped her client’s requirements yet ultimately delivered work that fell short. This reluctance to appear unskilled caused her group to spend additional weeks correcting their efforts and put her reliability into doubt. In essence, staying silent regarding uncertainties poses significant risks rather than offering any benefits.
Seeking clarification isn’t an indication of inadequacy; rather, it signals professional competence. This action demonstrates your dedication to accuracy and highlights your commitment to maintaining high standards in your tasks. By posing inquiries, you aren’t merely seeking guidance—you’re also exhibiting your attentiveness and precision. Consider this: even Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant figures ever known, stated, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” Raising queries helps shield you from mistakes and underscores your involvement in achieving success. In essence, asking questions benefits everyone involved: they provide you with understanding, while others perceive you as a serious professional dedicated to excellence.
Failing to seek clarification can lead to misunderstandings and errors, resulting in additional work and corrections. For instance, Victoria misconstrued the client’s requirements, causing the project to fail. A report from the Project Management Institute highlights that inadequate communication accounts for over half—specifically 56 percent—of project failures. This statistic emphasizes the importance of asking questions at the outset. By presuming she understood the client’s desires, Victoria produced outcomes that fell short of their standards, compelling her team to begin anew. Resources and time squandered might have been saved simply by posing queries like “Could you explain what ‘X’ means?” or “Would you mind giving an illustration?”
Errors stemming from unclear information can prove very expensive. Victoria’s task needed to be entirely restarted, which wasted valuable 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—losses that could potentially be avoided through promoting a work environment where inquiries are welcomed. Victoria’s reluctance to request further details not only impacted herself but also extended to her whole team and ultimately hurt the organization’s profitability. A single individual’s hesitance to voice their queries can create substantial repercussions throughout the entire operation.
If you refrain from asking questions, it might be perceived as a sign of detachment or negligence. Victoria’s supervisor began to wonder about her capability to manage intricate tasks. It is often seen that maintaining silence when uncertain leads to such outcomes. Leadership authority John C. Maxwell succinctly states: “Great leaders pose insightful queries that motivate others to envision more, ponder deeper, acquire knowledge, take action, and achieve greater heights.” Consequently, without posing inquiries, Victoria unintentionally conveyed that she lacked full commitment to the task at hand. Her boss consequently grew skeptical regarding her skills, potentially affecting her professional development negatively.
Bosses tend to have greater confidence in staff members who show dedication towards achieving accuracy. Victoria lost out on leading upcoming initiatives due to not seeking clarification. According to research conducted by LinkedIn, 72% of hiring managers consider curiosity and eagerness for learning essential qualities in workers. Conversely, those who refrain from posing queries frequently appear less driven and competent. The situation with Victoria underscores the significance of displaying interest and speaking up. Inquiring isn’t solely aimed at preventing errors; it also helps establish reliability and meticulousness, fostering trust among colleagues and superiors.
What to do instead:
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Ask for clarification
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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 understanding expectations can prevent expensive blunders ahead. Do not fret about appearing unskilled; most individuals value thoroughness. -
Take notes
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While getting directions, make sure to write comprehensive notes. Doing this aids in retaining crucial elements and spotting topics requiring further clarification. Research indicates that documenting information enhances memory recall by as much as 70%, hence pick up a pencil and notepad or launch your favorite note-taking software. Scribbling down essential data provides you with an anchor to look back at whenever doubts arise subsequently. -
Repeat back –
Once you receive directions, 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 it verify your grasp of the information, but it also allows the speaker an opportunity to rectify any misconceptions promptly. It’s a straightforward yet effective method for preventing miscommunications. -
Be proactive –
When you recognize a misunderstanding, tackle it right away. Avoid delaying when seeking assistance. Remember the adage: “A stitch in time saves nine.” Prompt clarification makes it simpler to adjust your direction. Being proactive demonstrates responsibility and dedication to producing high-quality output, ultimately earning you respect and confidence from others.
What now?
If you’ve held back from posing inquiries, now is the moment to shift your mindset. Keep in mind that questioning isn’t an indication of frailty but rather one of competence. Seeking elucidation allows you to prevent misinterpretations, achieve superior outcomes, and establish yourself as a person who excels at their work. Therefore, whenever you receive a new assignment, refrain from keeping quiet—make sure to voice the queries that will put you on the path to triumph.
Tips
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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 queries uncover the most vital details. -
Tip #3:
If you’re uncertain about anything, request examples or more context. This will assist you in grasping the task better. -
Tip #4:
Engage in active listening. Concentrate carefully on the directions provided and pose additional queries to clear up any aspects you find unclear.
>Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor: Nelson is an esteemed writer, publishing advisor, and Christian entrepreneur mentor. His interests include spreading the message of finance through faith and he engages in various economic activities such as foreign exchange trading, digital currency investment, and exploration 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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