Career tip #13 The boss may not know the answer already

When you receive an assignment from your boss, accept the responsibility that you are being asked to come up with an answer or answers that the boss doesn’t already have.  I once gave an assignment to a high potential gen y who was working for me in his first year after graduation. He listened and asked what answer I expected. I replied that if I knew the answer or outcome, I wouldn’t be giving him the assignment. So do the work as thoroughly and confidently as you are able and then during the discussion of your work product ask if your conclusions are in line with what your boss expected or, if they are not, ask why.