Context
All our lives we hear this statement.
Tell me what you need.
Do you hear it differently depending on the context?
When Is an Offer an Offer?
In the office supply store, “Tell me what you need.”
“I need a box of gel pens, colored file folders, and a nice notebook.”
In a project meeting, “Tell me what you need.”
“I need three months, two more designers, and a traffic manager.”
Planning a conference, “Tell me what you need.”
“I need a 3200 sq. ft. room with 30 small conference tables and 5 elegant executive chairs at each.”
Simple. Someone asks. We tell them what we require. We find out if our needs are available or if adjustments are in order.
But Then
When someone makes an offer of work to “die” for …
It can sound like this.
Would you like to
- speak at the palace?
- travel with your favorite rock band?
- visit all of your friends around the world?
- tour the vineyards of Europe?
- drive this sexy yellow sports car for a year?
“Um, sure!”
“Tell me what you need.”
“I’m there!”
“Tell me what you need.”
“Whatever you’re offering.”
We wouldn’t use that response in the office supply store. “Tell what you need.”
“Whatever you’re offering.”
Not so simple. Not the best answer either.
Reality Check
Someone asks what we require. Do you give up your needs because the offer is cool?
Attractive work doesn’t stay attractive
when you work for less than you need.
Overlook the delightful; see past the golden; think through what it will cost you to explore that delicious adventure. Then you’ll know how to answer. “To drive your sexy yellow sports car for a year, I’d need … ”
Have you ever talked yourself right past the words, “Tell me what you need”?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
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