The time I was told no without being told no
There I was, an Army Major in the 82nd Airborne Division. I was the executive officer for a parachute infantry battalion, one of the most demanding jobs I ever held. The workload was relentless as we feverishly prepared for war and kept our parachute skills razor sharp. I felt as though I was treading water in a sea of endless work. I led a staff numbering around 25 whose job it was to run the battalion. It was a Friday afternoon and I was smoked.
One of my officers, Lieutenant Eric Reschke was in my office and we were closing out business. Reschke was a hard worker. He took everything we threw at him and came back for more. He had some personal issues with his marriage and he was struggling with his physical fitness. I liked Eric. He was a man of character and I was grateful for his work ethic. I cared about him but he would really push my buttons with his dramatic voice mails and what seemed to be problem after problem, instead of solution after solution. Regardless it was my duty to train him.
As I usually did with my officers, I would run through a list of tasks I needed them to accomplish. Like mine, the list was plentiful and we would assign priorities to it. I would usually get a, "yes sir." and away they would go to climb the proverbial mountain. That particular afternoon, I was rattling off task after task with Reschke and he was writing them in his notebook. Once complete, I looked up at him for acknowledgment and he stated, "I'll see what I can do about looking into that for you." Exhausted but still attentive, I replied, "Wait, what? Say that again." I got up from my desk and went over to my dry erase board to write down what he said. I'll see what I can do about looking into that for you. I stood there a moment, bewildered, then turned to him with and said, "That's another way of saying no!" I broke it down for him.
"I'll see what I can do." That is noncommittal. 'See what you can do' means you may never actually 'do'.
"about looking into that." Looking is not doing.
I asked him to rephrase the sentence. "Yes sir," he said. "Thank you," I said in my fatigued state. I was too tired to deliver an old fashion Army paratrooper ass chewing. He was not really deserving of one anyway. He always meant well. I think maybe he was just trying to verbalize his own fatigue. I gave him a disappointed but loving fatherly redirection.
From that day forward, he and I would share a laugh over that moment. I would recall that story frequently in my career. Even today I tell it. The best part is when someone jokingly uses it on me.
Well, there is not much of a lesson here. Just a humorous story for your own leadership kit bag. You can try this phrase on your boss just for fun and see how he or she reacts. Be sure to follow with a, "yes sir" or "yes ma'am." Or just tell them "no." Good luck with that!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell