Why “That’s not your job” kills the initiative you wanted
Sometimes it is a fair boundary, but said flat it shuts down initiative. The people who notice gaps are the ones you want to grow.
THE QUICK ANSWER
Say this instead: “Thanks for spotting that. Let’s talk about who should own it.” “That’s not your job” can be a fair boundary, but your employee hears: stay in your lane. If it truly is not theirs, say why and who owns it. If it is a real gap, ask whether they would like to take it on.
GO DEEPER
Why the boundary backfires
Sometimes “that’s not your job” is a fair boundary. People cannot do everything, and some work belongs with someone else.
But said flat, it shuts down initiative. Your employee hears “stay in your lane”, and the next gap they notice, they will keep to themselves.
The people who notice gaps are the ones you want to grow. Now they learn to stop noticing.
Start with thanks: “Thanks for spotting that. Let’s talk about who should own it.” If it truly is not theirs, say why and say who owns it. If it is a real gap, ask whether they would like to take it on.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Thank people for spotting gaps, then decide who owns the work. Flat boundaries teach people to stop noticing.
TEST YOURSELF
An employee points out a gap that is outside their role. What is the best response?
PRACTISE IT
Try this lesson in the arcade
Quick retro games that start with this lesson’s situations. One thumb, one to three minutes, free.
