The tectonic plates are shifting: asker or guesser

Quote: Robert Benchley

Are you an asker or guesser?

How would you classify yourself and how would others classify you?

Julia Clavien’s recent mental model discovery on Asker vs Guesser got me thinking about cultural norms and company etiquette.

• When I join a company, I learn about the culture outside of the employee handbook and orientation training, by talking to different folks and learning about each other.
• When I visit the doctor, I share my health history and anticipate a diagnosis on ways to cope with stress and anxiety. Recently, I realized that if the environment is not conducive, it impacts my well being, sleep and mental health. But the doctor couldn’t help much as my vitals were ok.

This is where the mental model of Asker vs Guesser was spot on. How often do we interpret what is going on vs asking the questions to get clarification on the expectations and work together for outcomes to be successful.

Having been an Indian immigrant, who grew up as a kid in Saudi Arabia and who is now a US citizen, it’s hard to define or follow one’s culture and the norms that are expected. I feel the tectonic plates are shifting — the foundation is not enough to proceed artfully. I heard the concept…