I don’t give a grasp!
That’s what you might as well be saying when you splay information all over someone’s office.
Imagine this…
You have been working hard on something for a long time. Or maybe you have been deep into a particularly sticky issue with a project. Maybe you just learned about something new that is going to lead to an important decision.
In this sort of a situation, you have deep knowledge. Maybe not the kind that scientists have for their field of study. But certainly you know this particular issue.
You might have worked it through pretty thoroughly in your mind. Or with a small team.
Maybe you have looked at it from so many different angles that your head is spinning a bit.
Now, imagine that you must speak with someone else about this. Someone who needs to understand the issue. Someone who needs to help you. Or someone who must make a decision.
Here is where things can go wrong, if you’re not careful.
The person you are about to speak to needs a summary. They need to understand the crux of the matter.
They need to be able to get a handle on the issues involved.
They need to be able to get a grasp. And it’s your job to help them.
So, before you simply repeat all the details… before you list everything out in chronological order… before you relive every meeting, discussion, and email in front of them, get a grasp on things yourself.
What if…?
What if you had to call your mom and tell her about this thing? Or your brother-in-law? Or a friend who lives in a different city and works in a different industry?
How would you explain it to them?
That’s a good way to get a grasp of the issue. Because your friend isn’t going to want to listen to you drone on in nauseating detail. They want you to get to the point.
When you ask a friend to help you with an important decision, you present things clearly. Maybe also a little dramatically. And you ask directly for help and advice.
That’s a good way to approach things in the office too.
At least in the privacy of your own mind.
That quick and easy little mental exercise will be a great quick run through. It will be a productive way to prepare to help someone to more quickly and easily get a grasp of the thing you want them to understand.
Which will make it easier for you to get the help, support, or decision that you need.
So get a grip, and give a grip.
