Can I Get a Simple Yes or No, Please?

“Will this flight land safely?”

“Um, it should,” says the pilot hesitatingly.

“Will I make it through this surgery?”

“Hmm, I think so,” says the surgeon after a long pause.

“Will the interest rate on my (newly-signed) mortgage rise?”

“Uhh, I’m not sure,'' says the banker, looking away.

None of the responses above give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, do they? “It should, I think so, and I’m not sure” are not confidence builders. People want definitive Yes or No answers. YES, this flight will land safely. YES, you will make it through this surgery, and NO, your interest rate will not change.

“Don’t settle for these less-than-confidence-building responses. Work towards getting an absolute Yes or No that you can count on!”

However, we both receive and give ambiguous responses all the time when it comes to work.

“Will the report be ready by tomorrow?”

“Um, I think so,” we say, hesitatingly.

“Is this going to work as expected?”

“Hmm, it should,” we say, after a long pause.

“Was this problem caused by this?”

“Uhh, I’m not sure,” we say, looking away.

Don’t settle for these less-than-confidence-building responses. Work towards getting an absolute Yes or No that you can count on. Likewise, don’t give less-than-confidence-building responses. Reply with an absolute Yes or No answer to questions you are asked.

Will this help you and others to become more productive? Hmm, it should. I mean, YES, 100% guaranteed!