Telling your co-workers you don't care where you go for lunch is a minor offense, but you might end up eating the same sandwhich you had the day before. (Yes, that actually happened to me. What's worse is the waitress actually outed me in front of everyone.) However, when a team member asks you which design you like for your company's new brochure and your response is, "I don't care. They're both good." You might think you're being positive, but what you're really telling them is the subject isn't important enough to formulate an opinion. Even though both designs might be solid, you missed an opportunity to help that person and demonstrate your value. Chances are you won't get this person's best work on your next project.
Sometimes its just easier to say, "I don't care". We don't have to make a decision or think about what's being asked. Additionally, we don't have to worry about what others think about our opinions if we don't share them. I was especially guilty of this when I was younger.
Don't harbor concerns about what everyone thinks about your opinions. If they don't appreciate your candor, they'll stop asking for your thoughts.
My plan to conquering my occasional colloquial crutch involves asking questions. Here's what I've come up with so far:
-What's your preference?
-What is the goal?
-Are there any specific pros or cons you can share with me?
-Why is this important to you?
-Can you tell me why this decision poses a challenge?
Don't miss the opportunity to take your first step in overcoming indifference. Share your thoughts in the comments section below on how we can all do a better job of editing out those three trouble making words.
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