Multi-tasking. Having it all. Wearing the cape. Which one of these phrases do you practice on a daily basis? Maybe all three sometimes. Attempting to do all three certainly wins you points as a people-pleaser, but what does it do for your health and sanity?
“It’s not my job.” “That’s above my paygrade.” “I don’t have time for that.” Which one of these phrases do you use at work? These are commonly used in the workplace and just the opposite of pleasing people, these sharp, stand-alone phrases are not good for your career or your reputation.
The balance between trying to play superhero versus villain plagues anyone trying to do what is best for both his company and himself. Always saying yes and frequently accommodating/enabling co-workers is dangerous. Walking around with “SUCKER” stamped on your forehead is not going to advance your career in a positive way. However, avoiding extra work changes the label from “SUCKER” to “LAZY” or “NOT A TEAM PLAYER.” Like always saying yes, always saying no does not position your career in a positive direction.
No one can be all things to all people, so striving for a win-win solution is often the best way to find a solution. Everyone is busy at work. In Abby Wolfe’s “Here’s a Better (and Less Whiny) Way to Say, “That’s Not My Job,” she says that agreeing to do someone else’s work and then completing it poorly can be a disaster. “Taking on someone else’s project without a second thought could end up negatively impacting the final product of both your work and your colleague’s,” says Wolfe. “You need to be honest with yourself about your workload to avoid taking on too much.”
Take time to review your calendar and prioritize your workload to see if you can truly contribute to your co-worker’s project. Ask your boss if any of your deadlines can be moved to help your co-worker’s workload. Brainstorm creative ways to possibly help contribute without devoting a lot of man hours. Is there some research you can do and supply that will help the end goal? Could you make a few phone calls or send a few emails to gather information and share? Sometimes just giving a set amount of time to your co-worker’s project will be sufficient.
The benefits of saying yes include learning something new about your co-worker, his project or your company, and showing that you are willing to help without being run over (a benefit of saying no.) Hopefully your co-worker will be willing to assist the next time you ask for help. Working and communicating cohesively builds a strong team that is flexible in times of “yes” and “no.”