The workplace doesn't have a syllabus. To succeed, you have to stop acting like a student and start acting like a solution.
1. The "A-Student" Trap (What to Stop)
- Waiting for a Syllabus: Don't wait for clear instructions. Work is an open-book exam where the questions keep changing.
- Asking for "Grades": Stop seeking constant validation. If you keep asking "Is this okay?", you are asking your boss to do your thinking for you.
- The Homework Cycle: Stop waiting for tasks. If you only do what you’re told, you are a "cost center," not an "asset."
2. The Problem-Solver Mindset (What to Start)
- Treat the Boss as a Client: They have "pain points." Your job is to be the aspirin.
- Lower the "Cognitive Load": Every time you ask "What do I do?", you give your boss a mental chore.
- Shift to "I Intended To": Don't ask for permission. Say: "I noticed [Problem]. I intend to [Solution] by [Time]. Let me know if you want to change anything."
3. The Boss’s Actual Wish
Most employees think the boss wants to be the "Master." In reality, the boss’s secret wishes are:
- "Make this go away": They want a problem to land on your desk and never haunt them again.
- "Don't make me think": They want options and recommendations, not just raw data or "What should I do?" questions.
- "No Surprises": They don't need you to be perfect; they need to know early if something is going wrong so they can help you fix it before it blows up.
- "Ownership": Their ultimate dream is an employee who says, "I've got this," and actually does.
