One of my past bosses once told me that when someone doesn’t do something you’ve asked them to do, there are three possible reasons why:
- They don’t want to - They lack motivation because they:
- Don’t see the value or priority
- Actively disagree with the approach
- Have competing priorities that matter more
- Face emotional resistance to the work
- Don’t see how it benefits them
- They don’t know how - They lack the skills, knowledge, or understanding to complete the task (and may not want to admit it)
- They don’t understand what you’re asking - The request itself is unclear, ambiguous, or they’re missing context about what success looks like
The first reason is often an easy conclusion to reach, and it is often apparent.
The second often manifests in subconscious ways and is motivated by fear of failure, inadequacy, and other negative feelings.
The third reason is a reflection on your own clarity. Are you sure you know what you’re asking? Have you equipped them with what they need to be successful?