Sheet 71
PHRASES THAT MAY BE DISCOUIRAGING TO STAFF
1 That is not our job.
(If you limit your thought process to the present issue at hand, you also limit the possibility of producing fresh ideas. It is sometimes necessary to stand back and view the situation from a broader perspective. )
2 We have no legal basis for doing that.
(Legislation is a means to realize policy, not an objective in itself.)
3 I personally believe that this is a very good idea, but I don't think the boss will agree to it.
(If you believe the idea to be so good, wouldn't it be better to give it your full support and regardless of the outcome, at least bring it to the attention of the boss. If you believe that the idea is not particularly good but don't wish to take responsibility for declining it, are you simply "passing the buck" to your boss ?)
4 We have already looked at that idea before.
(The employee should first be praised for coming up with an idea that has previously been reviewed. Next, you should draw up a comparison between his/her idea and the previous one, discuss and review it taking the previous problem into consideration.)
5 We can't possibly do that at this stage.
(In a rapidly changing society, the smallest delay may have a negative effect which can't be reversed at a later stage. It is essential to be flexible and spontaneous if good ideas are not to be left at the wayside.)
6 We are too busy to do it.
(Their suggestion may provide a solution to the matter which keeps you busy. The least you can do is listen to the ideas of your junior staff.)
7 We can not afford it in terms of budget and personnel.
(This is nonsense. New ideas require extra staff and a higher budget. It is the duty of the supervisor to acquire this.)
8 I don't want trouble.
(New plans or ideas are always accompanied by a certain level of trouble. With a passive stance such as this, no new policy will ever appear.)
9 Who will do it ?
(You, yourself, are responsible for realizing new ideas such as this.)
10 Well done ! Thank you. I will take it from here.
(Are you going to take the lion's share from your junior staffs good idea ?)
