You’re a team leader at a retail store, and your boss wants to start a major initiative right before the holiday season. The initiative may increase productivity, but you have doubts about changing procedures before this busy time. You think it would be best to wait until afterward. What should you do?
A. Ask one of the other team leaders to approach your boss with you
B. Bring your boss his favorite coffee and ask him to wait until the timing is better
C. Tell your boss he’ll need to let you hire more people to address the initiative and the holiday needs
D. Draft a memo with all of the store’s employee outlining your concerns
E. Ask for your boss’s thoughts on how the initiative will impact holiday sales.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The best option is:
E. Ask for your boss’s thoughts on how the initiative will impact holiday sales.
Explanation:
When dealing with a major initiative, especially during a peak season like the holidays, timing is crucial. While the initiative may have long-term benefits, implementing significant changes right before a high-traffic period could lead to confusion, decreased efficiency, and employee frustration. As a team leader, your goal is to balance productivity improvements with operational stability.
Choosing option E is the best approach because it allows you to express your concerns professionally while showing that you value your boss’s perspective. Instead of outright rejecting the initiative, you engage in a constructive discussion. Asking about the impact on holiday sales frames the conversation in a way that aligns with the company’s priorities. If the initiative truly helps sales, your boss may provide valuable insights. If the risks outweigh the benefits, they may reconsider the timing.
Other options, while seemingly effective, have drawbacks:
- A. Asking another team leader for support could make you seem unsure of your own stance, weakening your argument.
- B. Bringing coffee as a persuasion tactic might appear manipulative rather than professional.
- C. Demanding more hires may be unrealistic given budget constraints.
- D. Drafting a memo could make it seem like you’re rallying employees against your boss instead of fostering a discussion.
By opting for E, you encourage an open dialogue, ensuring that the initiative is carefully considered before being implemented. This approach increases the likelihood of a favorable decision while maintaining a strong, respectful relationship with your boss.