I was asked to make a presentation on a topic that I felt I did not have adequate depth of knowledge. My first instinct was to say no. Not to be difficult but because I felt if I took up the task the outcome may not be what was required or intended. I owed it to the person asking to be honest. These and other reasons and fears crowded my mind.
I was lucky that instead of finding a way to say no, I said yes. (The reasons why I said yes are possibly a post for another day). What gave me the courage to say yes? I knew that in my team there was a person (let’s call her Ms. Erudite) who was a subject matter expert and the depth of knowledge that I lacked, she made up for in aces. More importantly I felt that if I knocked on her door asking for support, she would be willing to let me in.
Now all that was left for me to do was approach Ms. Erudite and ask for her help and support in putting together this presentation. As always, the deadline was short and the stakes were high. I have a good relationship with Ms. Erudite and that helped me get her on board with the idea and we were off on a journey of Co-creation. She not only opened the door to her mind, but she also roped in another team member who was as passionate and knowledgeable. The three of us had an adventure that we will remember for days to come.
I am good at framing a story and finding a structure to help decipher and decode things. I love working on presentations and figuring out how to stitch them together. They (Ms. Erudite and her team member) had a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to try new ways of looking at things. Together we produced a piece of work that underlines the power and potential of collaboration. As a team, we could do what none of us could have achieved individually. Too much knowledge sometimes clouds the mind, too little knowledge and there is no depth in the insights and thinking. Fresh eyes offer fresh perspectives and ones that have seen it all know where to look to find that missing piece. The three investigators finally delivered a presentation that was well appreciated by the audience.
I am reminded that I must say yes to things that are outside of my comfort zone. That is where growth comes from. I am reminded that we are better together and I must keep pushing the bar of collaboration higher. I am reminded that when somebody asks me for help it is a gift of their trust and I must honour it.
Say yes to things that seem difficult. Say yes to collaboration and teamwork. Say yes when someone asks for support. Say yes and surprise yourself and those around you.
And oh yes, say a heartfelt thank you. “Thank you Ms. Erudite and team for your help” I am energised and ready for the journey ahead. I have the courage and confidence to say “YES” to whatever knocks on my door next because I have fellow travellers like you by my side.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
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