Have you ever come
across a "yes person", the stereo typical type that oozes ease but
lacks reputation? The person that loves to create a super highway for delivery
of anything put forward to them even if their department does not have the
capacity to deliver.
Or perhaps you may
have come across the stereo typical "no person", someone who would be
better dressed in a seal commander suit bearing an army grade machine gun with
an ever burning cigar gritted between his teeth? Someone whom you fear to
approach with even the puniest request as you already know what the answer will
be.
If you have had the
pleasure of meeting either of their stereo types then you will probably have
come to the conclusion that neither is helpful in the slightest sense. The
"yes person" is likely to flood the constrained resources with
promised workloads that cannot be fulfilled while the "no person" is
more about their ego than business and devastates progress and innovation.
What’s the solution
I hear you say? It’s another stereo type of course, the "common sense
person". This person is considered a business enabler and well respected
decision maker who is smart and agile with the ability to adapt to the every
changing workplace demands efficiently. They will take their time to fully understand
requests, take time to reflect before answering (even a few minutes) and then
provide useful and productive answers.
If "no"
must be the answer then a well thought out reason must be associated
preferentially accompanied by a workable or helpful solution or response. If
"yes" is the answer then great, but set the constraints in which you
are able to deliver early in the negotiations and communicate to all
stakeholders as soon as possible
