You are unclear about what is expected of you
Example situation
A manager asks for more initiative. The team member starts a customer follow-up, then learns that the manager wanted to approve the message first.
Our recommendation
Use an actual assignment to specify the action you want and decisions the person can make. Ask how they would handle a likely situation, then resolve any conflict with required approvals.
If you are the manager
“When a customer has not supplied the information we requested, send a reminder using the agreed wording. Ask me before changing the deadline.”
Show an example of work that meets the requirement. Explain why it matters and which parts are essential. Ask what the team member would do if the customer requests a different deadline.
If you reverse agreed decisions because you prefer another method, clarify the criteria. When the team member acts within the agreement, support the decision immediately: “That reminder used the wording we agreed. You can send those without checking with me.”
Write down the agreed action and required approvals. Review the next example together and adjust the instruction for new circumstances.
If you are the team member
Use a current task: “When you say proactive, do you mean I should contact customers before you ask, or suggest the next step for you to approve?”
Explain your proposed action and required approvals. If the answer stays vague, write a possible agreement for your manager to correct. Keep the agreement available, follow it, and ask about situations it omits.
Questions that come up
How much detail is too much?
An experienced team member may only need the criteria and required approvals; someone learning the task may need a demonstration. Use their explanation of a likely case to decide what detail to provide.
The responsibility behind this situation
New Manager Guide Say what good looks like New Employee Guide Find out what good looks likeLast Updated: