You Think You Know the Task—You Don’t.
In 2012, Kodak—a giant in the photography world—filed for bankruptcy. How? They missed the mark on one critical thing: clarity.
Here’s what happened: The higher-ups at Kodak gave their research team one task—“figure out how to improve digital cameras.” But the task wasn’t clear. The team focused on making better hardware, tweaking designs, and upgrading pixels. And they nailed it. They created a great product.
It wasn’t what the boss needed.
The real issue wasn’t the quality of the cameras—it was the rise of smartphones that made stand-alone cameras irrelevant. The task wasn’t about “better cameras”; it was about figuring out how to stay competitive in a market shifting to phones. They solved the wrong problem, and it cost Kodak everything.
Think that could never happen to you? Think again.
Clarify What the Boss Really Wants
Before you jump into research, before you start gathering information, you’ve got to do one thing—think like a boss. You can’t do great work if you don’t know what your boss really needs.
This is where most people screw up. They get the task, they nod their head, and they run with it. But they never stop to ask: is this what the boss actually wants?
You’ve got to own the task—and owning it means you know exactly what problem you’re solving.
Your boss doesn’t want just another report. They want the right answers to the right questions. The only way to deliver that? You’ve got to clarify the task. You’ve got to get inside their head. You’ve got to think like a boss.
Why Clarity on the Task Is Everything
Let’s get one thing straight—if you don’t start with clarity, everything else falls apart. Studies show that 30% of projects fail because of poor communication about goals. Think about that. Nearly a third of projects crash and burn because no one took the time to make sure they were solving the right problem.
Imagine you’re asked to look into “why employee engagement is dropping.” You gather stats. You research company culture. You compare benefits to competitors. But when you present your findings, your boss says:
“That’s great, but I needed a plan to retain our top talent, not fix general engagement.”
You missed the mark because you didn’t clarify the task.
How to Think Like A Boss
So, how do you make sure you’re solving the right problem? You ask. You clarify. You make sure you understand the task inside and out. Here’s how:
1. Ask Clarifying Questions
You can’t act like a boss if you don’t think like one. And bosses ask the tough questions.
Your boss says, “We need to improve our sales process.” What does that mean, exactly? Do they want to streamline the steps? Improve customer experience? Cut down time-to-close? If you don’t know, you’re heading into a black hole.
Questions to ask:
- “What does success look like?”
- “What’s the specific outcome you’re looking for?”
- “Are there any assumptions or constraints I need to know about?”
- “What data is most relevant for this task?”
Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s what smart people do. The ones who clarify are the ones who deliver.
2. Repeat It Back Like a Pro
This is a simple trick that separates pros from amateurs. Once you think you’ve got it, repeat the task back to your boss. Confirm every detail. “So, just to be clear, you want me to look into why our top sales reps are struggling to close deals, and you’re most concerned with the impact our CRM is having. You’d like a report with recommendations by the end of next week. Is that right?”
Why does this work? Because you’ve just:
- Clarified the scope.
- Ensured you’re aligned with their expectations.
- Set yourself up to deliver exactly what they want.
You’re thinking like a boss.
3. Pin Down the Key Information
Now that you’re clear on the task, ask yourself: What information do I need to solve this problem? Don’t just gather random data—focus on the essentials.
If your boss needs to know why top sales reps are struggling, you should look into:
- CRM system usage and feedback.
- Competitor benchmarks.
- Recent changes in the sales process.
- Team communication and support structures.
Identify the exact pieces of data that will move the needle. This isn’t about showing off how much you’ve found; it’s about finding what matters.
4. Understand the Priority
Think like a boss. Not every task is created equal. Part of being crystal clear on the task is knowing where it falls on the priority list. Is this the most urgent issue right now? Or is this one of several ongoing projects? Understanding priority helps you allocate the right amount of focus and resources.
Ask your boss:
- “Is this a top priority, or does something else take precedence?”
- “Where does this fit in with the company’s current goals?”
Real-World Example: The Disaster That Could’ve Been Avoided
Here’s another real-world story: In the 2000s, Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix for $50 million. Their CEO asked his team to look into it, but the task was vague—“Is this a good investment?” They came back with surface-level research: Blockbuster was dominating the market. Netflix was still focused on mailing DVDs. It didn’t look like a threat.
The team didn’t clarify the real question: Is this the future of entertainment? They didn’t investigate the potential shift to streaming, and because of that, they missed the boat. Netflix is worth over $150 billion today. Blockbuster? They’re a trivia question.
If someone on that team had thought like a boss—if they had clarified the task and asked the right questions—the story might have ended differently.
Don’t Just Think—Clarify
Before you dive into research, before you gather your facts, before you even start thinking about a solution, get clear on the task. Know exactly what your boss needs.
Don’t make the Kodak or Blockbuster mistake of solving the wrong problem. Be the person who asks the smart questions, who clarifies, who confirms.
Because when you think like a boss, you do Completed Staff Work like a boss. You’ll be the one delivering solutions that hit the mark every time.
