Deer in the Headlights- A recent article by Ray Vaughan

We’ve all been there. You’ve got a question but are afraid to stick your hand up in case someone’s already asked it, or you think you’re expected to know the answer. Whether it’s not understanding an acronym, being new to an inflight project or having a possible suggestion to a problem, often people aren’t raising their hands for fear of being perceived as stupid, or dismissed as irrelevant.

I clearly remember one of my first corporate roles and the unease that came with adjusting to a new business environment. Early in my career I was employed as a European Category Leader where I found myself in meeting after meeting with colleagues far more experienced than myself, speaking in business jargon that sounded more like a foreign language than English. I remember at the time wanting to ask so many questions but my arm felt like a lead weight by my side, potential embarrassment preventing me from raising my hand and getting answers when I need them the most.

I was recently reminded of my own experiences following a situation with two of our young Consultants supporting us on a large, complex procurement negotiation with a global client. Having been brought in to attend both the technical and legal meetings, after a couple of days they felt totally overwhelmed by the depth of the content and pace of the discussions and were worried that they should understand more than they did.

I’d like to think that as a leadership team we take the time to ensure everyone has the necessary briefing and that we are clear on the expectations and nuances of the deal. With quickly evolving situations and strict deadlines to adhere to however, unfortunately the pace of activity and change can make it tough for less experienced team members to keep up.  Despite best intentions, we can all be guilty now and again of getting caught up in the work and assume that everyone is following at pace.

The good news is that these young consultants did raise their hands and share their concerns. We were then able to provide the necessary support and reassurance for them to find their feet, get to grips with the content and feel confident about their role in the deal. As leaders committed to developing young people through our CIPS Academy, creating an open and safe environment for them to ask for and access the necessary support both theoretically and in real world, high profile business scenarios is critically important.

It’s the basic, yet valuable questions that can often be missed when we’re so caught up in the complex. Having been that young person myself, I know that when I did finally get the confidence to raise my hand, I found that I was asking the question that nobody else had, which in turn provided a different perspective and added value to the situation. I wish I had done it sooner and am a big advocate of encouraging others to do so too.

With the increase of remote working, it can be less obvious whether someone is engaged or struggling; maybe there is someone near you or in your team that might need help or just a check in. Creating an environment where people feel they can speak up is key, especially as we continue to navigate this hybrid world. You never know, if you ask, you may learn more than you expected!

–Ray Vaughan