Have you ever noticed that many people tend to say, “I’ll try,” when asked if they can do something? What does that really mean? In most cases, when a person responds by indicating that he’ll try, it is simply a polite way of making an excuse in advance. When someone says, “I’ll try,” instead of saying “I will,” it usually indicates something about that individual.

It may indicate a lack of confidence – that the individual is unsure if he can accomplish the deed. However, if that is the case, and the individual is unsure that he has the ability, either he should ask or request assistance or guidance, or simply say that he is not certain that he can accomplish what is being requested. The reason that saying “I’ll try” causes additional challenges to the process is that an untrained listener believes that the person responding ‘I’ll try” will actually do just that – – try. More often than not, the person saying that he will try doesn’t make much of an attempt at all, because he, either consciously or sub-consciously believes saying that he’ll try somehow gets him off the hook, kin terms of getting the task done. The reality is that most try-ers are not do-ers.

“I’ll try” is another one of those subconsciously negative statements many individuals use. Saying, “I’ll try” often means “leave me alone,” but the person is trying to be polite! “I’ll try” also indicates a degree of dismissiveness and lack of urgency placed on the performance of the deed. If an individual says that he’ll try, he is really saying that if he can get to, and if he does it, then it will get done. “I’ll try” is a mere cliche, and the sign of a weak leader, if used by someone in a leadership position in an organization.

An effective leader thinks in terms of doing and achieving, rather than trying. It is very similar to the mindset of someone calling something a problem versus the more positive, results-oriented, “can-do” mentality of someone who sees something merely as a challenge.

Much of the difference between an effective and ineffective leader is that of perception. A strong leader sees challenges that can be overcome by effort, and doing, while a weaker “leader” sees problems in clear pixel everything, and while he’ll try, he probably won’t achieve. Which type of individual would you prefer in a leadership position.

Next time you undertake a task, don’t think in terms of trying. Rather, think in terms of doing, and accomplishing the objective. Put yourself in the mindset and frame of mine to get something done, and you are likely to get it done. Think in terms of trying and more often than not, you will not!