What are you asking me ... ?

We all have a boss. We all have leaders we report in to, or get reports from. We all have people we look up to, and trust. But often we abuse that trust, even if we don't really mean to.

The other day someone I work with comes to ask me if it was ok to miss work that Friday because of some family function. This is a trap of a question because this colleague of mine was not coming to work that Friday no matter what I responded with. So, why they did they come and ask me ... ?

This is what I want to touch on here. You see, they were going, one way or another. They weren't coming to ask me if it was ok, but rather, they were coming to ask for my blessing. They wanted me to say "Sure, no problem, go wild." But it is not ok. If it was ok, we should all take days off, and then it will soon become the 4 day work week. But don't get me wrong, it is fine if they take a day off, it is just not ok. There is a difference.

Taking a day off is no big deal. By all means, if all your work is done, and all your responsibilities are taken care of, then go wild. But, it is still not ok. You will not get my blessing. You may get my permission, but my blessing is a whole other story.

The next time you go ask someone a question like this, make sure you know exactly what you are asking for? If you are asking permission to take a day off, then that is one thing, but if you are asking if it is ok to take a day off, then that is a whole other question.

Posted by Ronnie Apteker