The Illusion of an Agreement Blog

You have given your staff their marching orders.

These are detailed verbal instructions of what you want them to do, how to do what you want, and what you are looking for as an outcome.

Several days later when they report back, what they have done is nothing like you envisioned.

What went wrong?

The Illusion of an Agreement

This scenario is replayed over and over throughout the business world. Instructions that were given about a detailed market study resulted in studying a different market segment. Or the instructions about what to bring in for a client luncheon that included chicken salad somehow became a Mexican buffet. Or the small, affordable house you discussed with an architect became a 5,000 square foot colonial.

Whatever the circumstances, there frequently occurs a disconnect between a set of instructions given and what the hearer thinks they have accented to. What happened is the illusion of an agreement where both parties agree, but what they think they agree to is dramatically different.

From the boss or supervisor’s perspective, they think they are giving a set of detailed instructions. They have an idea in their mind that they are verbally conveying. The instructions are not in writing because the idea is being fleshed out as they talk.

Frequently, during this delivery of instructions, the instructions change because this idea is still morphing. They are energized and excited about the prospects of what they are thinking and want someone to start immediately on this new project.

From the employee’s perspective, they are at a disadvantage. The idea they are talking about is not theirs. They have to listen intently to get a semblance of what their boss is conveying.

Once they get the idea, however, their mind takes off and starts to work on what they think needs to be done. They are only half listening and have already started to work on the final product. They are too energized and appreciative of the boss’s confidence in letting them work on this project to take the time to confirm the exact instructions they have just been given.

The result is they have an agreement to work on something, but that something is not the same thing that their boss is thinking.

Proceeding with only an illusion of an agreement nearly always results in a disaster. Through good management practices by both the boss and the employee, it is possible to turn this disaster into a project success.

Here are some ideas for both the boss and employee to avoid the illusion of agreement.

1. Follow up a meeting that included verbal instructions with a written memo. This is not a “cover your backside” memo. But if you are going to spend significant time working on a company project, isn’t it always a good idea to define it further in writing for your use?
2. Use graphics whenever possible. I suggest using a whiteboard to draw sketches, write steps to be accomplished, define the deadline, estimate a budget, and draft a missional statement. Everyone can then photograph the whiteboard as a record of their instructions.
3. Don’t wait until the task is complete to present an update. Provide progress reports and sketches to update everyone involved with the project.
4. Just as the original instructions were initiated through a verbal, open-minded process, take that same approach your staff to get their ideas and concerns. Don’t hesitate to take these new ideas to your boss for further discussion and clarification.

The opposite of an illusion is a reality. While it is possible to have an illusion of an agreement with a co-worker or a boss, God ensures that we are under no illusions of His presence in our lives.

Job 38:36 says.

The answer is God. While we may incorrectly deliver or receive instructions for a work project, we need to remember that there is no such misunderstanding when reaching out to God for His instructions.

Even if we do not think so, God’s instructions will always be perfect. He will always give us the information we need, at the time we need it, for the purpose we need it.