Discussion
You want a promotion. You want your boss to delegate more work to you so that you can learn new aspects of the business. You realize that accepting all assignments that the boss decides to delegate to you can be beneficial.
But, you realize that there are pitfalls involved in accepting all delegated assignments. You have heard of the Peter Principle. (The Peter Principle states that employees who do a good job will be continually promoted until they have risen to a level of management at which their skills are no longer suitable for the new kinds of tasks required. Thus, all employees rise to their level of incompetence, where they are of no further use to the organization and need to be bypassed.)
When you are handed a key assignment, here are some critical questions to ask yourself to determine if you can do it.
· Is this more work than I can handle? The boss may delegate more work than you can handle. Prepare an action plan using your most pessimistic estimates of the time involved in each step of this project. If your deadline is unrealistic, let your boss know right away that you'll need more time. Point out the conflicts in your work schedule and ask your boss to prioritize your assignments. Note the agreed upon priorities and deadlines in a memo to your boss.
· Do I understand the assignment? If the boss hasn't made it clear what is really wanted, the chances of making a mistake are very high. Ask questions until you are clear about your boss's expectations. (Don't worry about seeming stupid. Use self-disclosure and say, "This may seem like a stupid question, but…") If you are unsure about the objectives of the project, ask your boss to write them down. Set up a schedule for regular check-ins with the boss.
· Does the assignment require coordination with other individuals or departments with whom I do not yet have a good working relationship? Do I have access to the equipment, technology, and personnel I'll need? Make sure you get the authority to accomplish the job, or the assignment will seem impossible. If you'll need money, computer time, temporary help, or access to confidential records, ask your boss to be specific about how far you should go and how much you should spend. Call suppliers, outside contractors, and the professional contacts you'll be using now. Figure out how to negotiate with - or bypass - anyone that would have a reason to sabotage your work on this project.
