Student Question: Hello Master, my supervisor said I didn’t communicate properly on a project and wasn’t thorough enough in my thinking. But I’m just an executor — I don’t need to know everything. Some things should be handled at the leadership level. Am I wrong to think that way?
Master Chi’s Response:
- Your supervisor is actually right.
You’re responsible for this project, which means it’s on you to understand all the relevant information. Not only should you execute on what your supervisor already knows — you should go out and bring back information your supervisor doesn’t know. That’s what doing your job properly looks like.
- You assumed certain things needed to be communicated at the leadership level first — but did you actually anticipate those possibilities in advance?
You only found out about the payment issue when you hit a wall, and only then did you escalate it. That means, in practice, part of this project slipped out of your control.
- You might feel a little wronged. After all, you can’t know everything, right?
But here’s what matters: this isn’t about how badly you did. It’s about how much better you should do.
Let me give you an analogy.
You’re a company commander in the military. Your scouts report two enemy bunkers ten kilometers ahead. Your battalion commander orders you to take them out.
You say “got it” — and charge in with your men.
Then you discover enemy troops stationed near those bunkers. Half your unit is killed or wounded.
Whose fault is it? Regardless of the answer, the brothers who fought side by side with you are never coming back.
A seasoned commander, on the other hand, would keep sending scouts to survey the surrounding enemy positions. He’d build contingency plans — what to do if something unexpected happens, how to retreat, how to coordinate with allied forces. He’d think it all through before moving.
So when we do things, stop asking whether you made a mistake. Ask how you can do better.
Your colleague suggested you tell people you’re “just an executor” — but that’s voluntarily surrendering your power and choosing to be a human tool. Sure, it gets you off the hook for responsibility. But remember: responsibility and authority are two sides of the same coin.
Refuse to take on responsibility, and you won’t gain more authority. In the workplace, that means no promotions, no leading your own projects, no voice that carries weight.
So at work — don’t be afraid of making mistakes, and don’t be afraid of being told you’re not good enough. Embrace responsibility. If you fell short this time, improve next time.
Do that long enough, and you’ll grow.