What \u201cafters\u201d tell us<\/a>, then, is that the key to delivering results the first time is to understand the purpose of what we\u2019re being asked to do before we go out and attempt to do it. To do that you need to ask questions, but not just any questions. You need to ask future-based questions.<\/p>\nSo, if your boss were to ask you to produce a report, you response, with a future-based question, would be something link, \u201cSure, of course I can. Just so I’m clear, what is it you’re looking to achieve with this report?\u201d This question doesn\u2019t ask what needs to go in the report, rather what should happen after<\/em> the report. Another future-based question would be to ask, \u201cWhat are your goals with this?\u201d<\/p>\nNow, when you ask a question such as this, you\u2019ll often find that the answer you receive does not fully resolve your need to understand the \u201cafters\u201d of their request. They\u2019re likely to still be a little stuck on \u201cI need a report\u201d mode, so don\u2019t stop at the first question but delve deeper. Think of when, who, what, where questions to help aide your understanding. Also work in \u201ctell me more\u201d or \u201cgo on\u201d. The more questions you ask and the more information you can get, the better equipped you are to deliver on the \u201cafters\u201d of the request.<\/p>\n
After you\u2019ve asked your \u201csecond questions\u201d and you\u2019re comfortable that you fully understand the meaning and purpose of the deliverable that you are meant to achieve, you ask a final question: \u201cOf everything you\u2019ve shared with me now, what\u2019s your number one priority?\u201d And then ask about the second and third priority.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Taking the time to ask these questions and understand the \u201cafters\u201d of a request is going to greatly improve communication on your team. Not only will it improve communication, but it will also ensure that you are focusing your time, energy and motivation on delivering results that are specifically going to contribute to the needs and goals of the organization. And don\u2019t just think of it in terms of reporting to your boss. Use \u201cafters\u201d in your project communications with clients, suppliers, vendors, and employees.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s right, this works both ways. It’s not just when you’re receiving requests from your boss, it’s also when you’re giving requests to your employees. Talking about the \u201cafters\u201d of a task, rather than simply delegating it, there is a great chance that you will make a big, big difference in getting rid of one of the most frustrating things in the workplace, which is where you needlessly have to do work twice (or more). And you’ll be taking a great step toward improving employee engagement<\/a>, motivation, and productivity remarkably.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How many times have you delivered a project, task or report only to have it sent back for a re-do? After putting tons of time, research and effort into delivering on a project, I just hate seeing the ol\u2019 \u201cThis is a good start\u2026\u201d response hit my inbox.\u00a0We\u2019ve all been there, and it is at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":341300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[220],"tags":[45,256,47,228,229,18,12,49],"yoast_head":"\n
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Learn how to deliver results the first time with Crestcom's expert tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/12\/afters-ask-the-right-questions-to-deliver-results-the-first-time\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Crestcom International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-01-12T04:00:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-31T15:04:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/afters.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/12\/afters-ask-the-right-questions-to-deliver-results-the-first-time\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/12\/afters-ask-the-right-questions-to-deliver-results-the-first-time\/\",\"name\":\"Afters Ask the Right Questions to Deliver Results the First Time\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/12\/afters-ask-the-right-questions-to-deliver-results-the-first-time\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/12\/afters-ask-the-right-questions-to-deliver-results-the-first-time\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/afters.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2016-01-12T04:00:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-31T15:04:03+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/crestcom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/40a74dd8d673877790e94f0aa13649ef\"},\"description\":\"Avoid costly mistakes and wasted time by asking the right questions upfront. 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<\/p>\n