This is my favorite expression.
Do you have what you need?
I usually ask it of at least 3-4 people a day. It’s simple, but clear. I don’t know the entirety of your situation, but I am here to help. It can be small (proof reading) or big (career advice); either way, please ask
If this is what am known for professionally, I would be very proud. Making other people successful, and amplifying their good work. More assists like John Stockton.
Ask your direct report, “Do you have what you need?”
As a manager, there is only so much we can do for a direct report. Help them establish scope, give them good advice, keep them accountable, correct them judiciously, forgive mistakes, and give them credit.
“Do you have what you need?” encapsulates many concurrent, complementary thoughts:
- “You are a professional, you know what you need – better than I do.”
- “I am busy, but I want you to be successful. Tell me what I can do.”
- “Is there anything on your mind, you need to talk about?”
- “Do you need me to clear obstacles getting in your way?”
Ask your boss, “Do you have what you need [before Monday]?
Before you leave the office on Friday, IM your boss, and ask them a simple question, “Do you have what you need? Anything you need before Monday?”
- Yes, they need something, and it’s your chance to get them out of a bind
- No, they don’t need anything, but know you want to be helpful and are committed
Afraid to ask that question of your boss or your team mates on a late Friday afternoon? A few things cross my mind, none of them good:
- You don’t particularly like your boss or team. You harbor the fear of meaningless, and thankless work. Possible, but not a good sign of the work climate
- There is a ton of work, but there is a culture of avoiding work. Lack of accountability and a lack of reward for work. Also, not good,
- You are afraid that this simple question will spin off into personal discussion, and ineffective chit-chat, unrelated to work. Also, not good.
Ask yourself, Do I have what I need?
Perhaps this is too meta, but do you have what is needed to win? Not just “do the work”, but to actually win?
Your career strategy needs to be based on your unique resources and capabilities. You goal is not to be good, but to be great, and that means differentiation. Creating a flywheel effect where what you do gets better & hopefully easier as you go. What’s your venn diagram of awesomeness, and what do you need?
Just ask, “Do you have what you need?”
Ask it. Be helpful. The majority of the time, people smile and say thanks for asking. Sometimes, they need some advice. Sometimes, there is something substantial you can help with. Always, you feel better for asking.
“Challenge: Before you leave the office on Friday, IM your boss, and ask them a simple question, “Do you have what you need? Anything you need before Monday?”” <== This can be a dangerous road to go down. The scope is too wide. It requires a good understanding of what your boss is usually looking for. In my org, my boss is usually looking for raw data and he's probably already entered a request. You send an email like that and you could be on hook or delivering. Never mind that the analyst have all gone home & there is a 24 hour turnaround time for data request. I think a better approach would be to narrow the scope to services you can offer. Need me to proof your deck? Need me to….(insert task I can do)
Perfectly fair comment. Be available, but set yourself up for success and those who lean on you. Reminds me of the perennial challenge and raison d’etre for consultants. . . scope control.
Completely fair comment.