A Service Design principle for better communication in the workplace.
I'm a child. My mom asks me to help. Yes, she is a great mom and teaches me that you have to help your family. But you know, as a kid, I sometimes don't like to help. Or I find the request stupid. So I say:
“Mom, I find this stupid, but I'll do it if you ask me to do it.”
That ensures that I can share my opinion and express how I feel to my mom. But at the same time, I respect her authority.
So, my mom answers:
“Thanks, honey, I know it costs you, but I'm glad you're helping me with this.”
What works for a child seems to work also in big corporations.
To make work relationships more honest and more productive:
Offer more possible answers than yes or no. For example, let people say: I agree, I disagree, I disagree and commit, I'll wait and see, etc.
Little side notes
- This is the second draft of this Service Design Principle.
- I was able to reduce the lengths of this principle by about 32.2% compared to the first version.
- Once adapted, even more, this principle will be part of the book "Service Design Principles 201-300"
- As always comments and feedback to improve this principle are welcome
- If you have a personal story that goes in that direction it would also help if you share it