I’ve always been the kind of person who says yes to new work-related challenges, frequently out of pure enthusiasm for the opportunities. Sometimes it makes sense to say no, of course, but in a tough economic climate yes is often the necessary response to organizational shifts that happen in the wake of layoffs and restructuring. No matter what the economic conditions, there’s an art to taking on a new responsibility. During my years of saying yes, I’ve practiced that art a lot. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Don’t just talk with your predecessor — interview her. If you have access to the person who used to do what you’re about to start doing, sit down and have a meaningful dialogue. Don’t merely ask for information and materials; inquire about the essence of the responsibility: What are the stakeholders really looking for? What’s the best way to feel fulfilled by the work? If you can’t connect with your predecessor or if the work is brand new, interview the person who created or bestowed the responsibility. I’ve found that if you do this properly, the main conversation takes about an hour of very substantive talk, with a couple of shorter follow-ups.