Could We Do This Another Way?

You need to talk to your boss about your workload.

You’ve tried twice. Both times, you went into their office knowing what you wanted to say. Both times, the conversation moved quickly. They asked questions you weren’t expecting. You started explaining, lost track of your point, and left without asking for what you needed.

So this time, you decide to write it down.

You explain which projects you’re working on, what you can realistically finish this week, and which deadlines will have to move if something new is added.

You send the email.

Your boss replies with two questions. You answer them. Later that afternoon, they stop by your desk and say, “Okay. Let’s move the Peterson deadline to next week.”

The problem wasn’t that you didn’t know what you wanted to say. You knew.

You had trouble saying it in a conversation that required you to listen, think, respond, and keep track of what you were trying to ask for at the same time.

Writing changed that.

Sometimes we assume that if something is difficult in one form, we need to get better at doing it that way. Speak up in the meeting. Answer the question on the spot. Explain yourself face-to-face.

Maybe.

But sometimes there’s another possibility.

Could we do this another way?

You might ask for the information in writing. Send your thoughts before the meeting. Look at the instructions instead of having someone explain them while you work. Ask to think about a question and come back with an answer.

You’re still doing the thing.

You’re just changing the form in which you have to do it.