"We can do that but here are some things we should consider..."
Geez! I am so bad at using that statement but it's essiential when working with your company's leadership. It doesn't matter if you're a one person department or a team of fifty. Balancing what your executives want with what the organization needs can be tough. It's especially true for small departments with limited resources.
It comes down to this: make your leadership happy and it'll make you ten times more reputable. That does not mean you should neglect the needs of the organization. You just need to be transparent about what's possible. Here are a few examples:
"I'm happy to expedite the development of that course but it this will delay project A, B, and C. In my opninion, Project A may have a greater impact on performance. Would you prefer I continue with your course as a priority?"
"We can certainly develop that training in house. However, have you considered using an outside vendor to meet the immediate need? Ithe topic is quite generic and we can outsource it until our training is complete. What are your thoughts?"
The approach seems easy but it's not. I typically encounter these situations when I am proposing a new idea or driving a key project. As a result, it can be alarming when leadership disagrees with your outlook. Your "Fight or Flight" instinct kicks in. It can put you on the defense and you forget to use this approach.
You need the ability to stop your reaction when using this method. You can stop and think. Another option is not say anything until you have time to think about it.
This is not easy. It takes a lot of experience and practice. I admit that I need to improve in one area.
This method can be challenging if you don't have direct communication with leadership. If you're going through multiple levels, your thoughts may not be communicated appropriately. I wish I had an answer to this. If your manager is ok with it, I suggest presenting a status report to leadership explaining your projects and possible risks/issues. It may give you more transparency.
Just remember, if you can make your leadership team happy, it will make you more successful and valuable.
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