I once knew a man, who was strange, in one particular aspect. Let us call him "The Boss".
When posed with a categorical question, a normal person would respond with a specific answer. Especially if the categorical question is the classic Yes or No question.
Example Question: Would you visit my blog again? (It is categorical and a Yes or No question)
Possible Answer 1: Yes
Possible Answer 2: No
Agreed, the world became more crazy when Market Research was invented and a third possible answer got added to the list.
Possible Answer 3: Maybe
But "The Boss" was special. He manufactured a Possible Answer 4 and used it very often. And you, my dear reader, can easily guess, who was at the receiving end. Every time he spouted the Possible Answer 4, I was left scratching my head. I had to make sense of it fast, so as not to look like a fool. And I failed miserably. Every time. Every awful time. And here is his invention -
Possible Answer 4 : Yes and No
Do you realize the futility of it all? It is not a 'Maybe'. It is not a 'It depends'. It is a 'Yes and No.'
Example Question I posed to "The Boss": Are you delusional?
Answer: Yes and No.
My interpretation: Yes, he is, in office. No, he isn't, in front of his wife.
Real Question I posed to "The Boss": Do you approve of the creative?
Real Answer by him: Yes and No.
My interpretation: Yes, he approves it now. His opinion will surely change after some time. Let me work on more options.
Real Question I posed to "The Boss" : Do you agree customers are getting more demanding? (In context of changing a particular course of action)
Real Answer by him: Yes and No.
My interpretation: Yes they are. But he doesn't really give a damn and wants me to do what he thinks is right.
But the thing is that "The Boss" was immensely successful. And I believe Possible Answer 4 was the reason behind this success. And I want to be the smart one. And definitely, I want to be successful. So I have decided to use Possible Answer 4 in the following situations.
1. Whenever my direct reports want me to take a decision but I don't want to take one. At the same time I don't want to look indecisive.
Example Question by my direct report: Can I take a leave tomorrow?
My Answer: Yes and No.
What should my direct report think about my response and me : Yes, I can take a leave. But not tomorrow. My boss is so cool.
2. Whenever I am in a meeting with two powerful people who differ on an issue and they ask me to break the stalemate. And I don't want to offend either of them.
Example Question by them: Person 1 - Should we give a pay hike to the employees this year given company's bad performance? (Person 2 wants the pay hike given his body language, while Person 1 is responsible for cost cutting)
My Answer : Yes and No.
What should they think about my response and me: Yes, hike should be given. But only to the people in this room. This guy is really smart and cares for everyone.
3. When I am asked my opinion on a subject that I lack knowledge in. And I don't want to sound dumb.
Example Question by a colleague: Do you think government should introduce tax breaks on bosses farting in front of their colleagues?
My Answer : Yes and No
What should the colleague think about my response and me : Yes, tax breaks for me. Not for my smelly boss. My colleague is such a sorted person.
4. When during my appraisal I am asked a tricky question. And I don't want to sound boorish and risk a fat paycheck.
Example Question by boss: Is money more important than a challenging responsibility for you?
My Answer : Yes and No
What should my boss think about me : Yes money is important for him. No challenge scares him though. He is the best resource I have.
I should write a management book titled "Replace your OR with AND : Make your path to the corner office rosy."
Do you think I should write this book?
a. Yes
b. No
c. May be
d. a. and b.
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My last year's challenge post from letter Y was about my food memories. The post was titled after my Zomato handle Yumdude. Read it here.
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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is all about writing stories, anecdotes and observations from my life in form of easy to read listicles. You can read the theme reveal post here.
Agree that those who give yes and no answer do sound smart... thought they might not hv a clue to the nearest right answer...the blog was funny.. enjoyed reading it
ReplyDeleteThanks minal
Deletewhich boss does this post refer to ? ;p
ReplyDeletefunny post i enjoyed reading it..! thankfully not got one such boss who prefers the 4th option
my answer for if you should write a book is YES and NO :)
Thanks Rubini
ReplyDelete