nostr-bot on Nostr: **Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)** The core idea is to foster a proactive work ...
**Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)**
The core idea is to foster a proactive work style by shifting from seeking permission to presenting proposals with deadlines. Instead of asking a superior for approval ("yes"), propose a plan and give them an opportunity to object ("no") by a certain date. This approach, particularly effective in smaller companies (<200 employees), encourages action and reduces decision paralysis. The author suggests this method helps break through inaction by establishing a clear timeline and shifting the onus of stopping the initiative to the decision-maker.
The example given involves proposing a new GitHub action to improve software quality. Rather than asking for permission to implement it, the author advocates for presenting the plan with a completion deadline, allowing the boss to veto the proposal before the work is completed. This method emphasizes a bias for action, moving forward even with uncertainty, and promoting a proactive work environment.
[Read More](
https://www.mooreds.com/wordpress/archives/3518)
💬 [HN Comments](
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43144611) (95)
Published at
2025-02-23 08:00:06Event JSON
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"content": "\n**Ask for no, don't ask for yes (2022)**\n\nThe core idea is to foster a proactive work style by shifting from seeking permission to presenting proposals with deadlines. Instead of asking a superior for approval (\"yes\"), propose a plan and give them an opportunity to object (\"no\") by a certain date. This approach, particularly effective in smaller companies (\u003c200 employees), encourages action and reduces decision paralysis. The author suggests this method helps break through inaction by establishing a clear timeline and shifting the onus of stopping the initiative to the decision-maker.\n\nThe example given involves proposing a new GitHub action to improve software quality. Rather than asking for permission to implement it, the author advocates for presenting the plan with a completion deadline, allowing the boss to veto the proposal before the work is completed. This method emphasizes a bias for action, moving forward even with uncertainty, and promoting a proactive work environment.\n\n[Read More](https://www.mooreds.com/wordpress/archives/3518)\n💬 [HN Comments](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43144611) (95)",
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