Following Through

A Note to Minions:

Parenthesis don’t function if they don’t close. 

Following through relies on a variety of concepts.  It appears as answering questions, letting others know when you finish tasks, and remembering to check on pending items. 

Answering a question in your head and forgetting to send the emailed response does not qualify as following through.

Calling someone and leaving a voicemail does not signify a completed task. 

Next time you have a moment, take a look at your follow-through habits – when you receive a much anticipated piece of mail, do you did let the sender know you received it?  When you mail off a signed document, do you notify the parties involved to expect it (or, that it’d been sent)?  What happens after you leave a voicemail with someone? 

Each task has an open, and a close.  Take time to close each parenthesis – it’ll save time and help you appear to be a reliable character.

A Note to Supervisors:

Although your staff are not children, you are their guide and their leader.  Like a child, when staff members receive a promise of a meeting on a coveted topic, an interesting project opportunity, or a much needed training, they get disappointed when there is little or no follow-through. 

Just as your clients deserve your sharp attention to detail, your staff deserve it even more.  Although businesses focus on being client-centered, it is proven that the best client-centered entities start with well taken care of staff.  Keep your promises, or at least acknowledge when you’ve bitten off more than is feasible to chew at the time.  They will appreciate your candor. 

Bottom line: You wouldn’t blow off a client meeting or deadline or opportunity to let them know where their case is at.  What makes you find it more acceptable to do so with your staff?