Don’t Be an Order-Taker.

When we work with people, it’s important to build an A+ team, people who challenge our thinking and the way we work.

I don’t want to be the person who simply gives orders and I often tell my team:

“Hey, don’t do something just because I’m asking you to do it. If you don’t agree with what I’m asking you to do, question me. Don’t be an order-taker.”

Think about it this way: when you go to a restaurant, you look at the menu and place your order. A good server doesn’t just take down your order and walk away. They make recommendations.

“Hey, this dish is really good here. You should try it.”

“Our portions are big, so that might be a lot of food for this table. Maybe you should consider something else.”

You appreciate a server who helps you make a better decision rather than simply doing what you ask. Of course, the recommendations need to be good. If they consistently lead you in the wrong direction, you’ll eventually stop trusting the server and might even stop going to that restaurant.

The same principle applies at work.

During a meeting with a prospect last week, they had a very specific ask: “I don’t want an order-taker. I’m looking for a solution. I want you to recommend the best approach.”

I smiled a bit and told the prospect, “I really resonate with what you are saying, because we say the exact same thing in our internal team meetings.”

The next time your boss asks you to do something, pause and ask yourself:

• Why are we doing this?
• Is there a better way to do it?
• Are we solving the right problem?

And if you have a different perspective, speak up. Challenge the thinking. Offer a recommendation.

Good teams aren’t built by people who simply follow instructions. They’re built by people who take ownership, think critically, and hold themselves collectively responsible for the outcome.

Don’t just take orders. Bring ideas, challenge assumptions, and help make things better.

Thank you for reading.

Karthik Chidambaram.