Chris Fenning shows how to talk about project problems without sounding like you're complaining: always bring one or two concrete options for what to do next, or ask for help if you don't know. A problem without a solution feels like blame.
How to talk about project issues, tip number 9, give options for what to do next. When you're talking about an issue, don't just say there's a problem and leave it at that. Nobody wants to hear, oh, there's a problem, this thing has gone wrong. What we'd like to hear is, there's a problem, things have gone wrong, and here is what I think we could do about it. So when you're talking about a project issue, Give options for what to do next. And if you're not sure what to do next, say, I don't know what to do next. I'd like some help. Now, if you don't say what you're going to do next, the audience may be frustrated because you're just coming to them with a problem. And that may sound like a complaint, or it sounds like you're giving them extra work because you want them to solve it. You can avoid those by just coming up with one or two options for what to do next. Now, how do you do this? Say, hi, we've got this problem. There's a large queue of people waiting outside our store. What I think we should do is set up a scheduling system, or give them tickets so they can go away and come back and they know their place in line, or put up an umbrella because it's raining. Whatever your ideas are, say them, because at least it shows that you're trying to solve that issue and not just coming to the other person with a problem. So when you are talking about project issues or issues at work, make sure that you describe some options for what to do.
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