Say, for instance, that you work for the second most giant global outsourcing and technology service firm. Also, for hypothetical reasons, assume that you are on the account that services one of the largest telecommunications firms. Okay? You’re in dreamland. You’ve stepped on through to the other side and can now experience the following tale as if it happened to you.

In this imaginary scenario, you surveyed the executives of your Fortune 100 client and asked them how you were doing. Overall, they say you get the job done. They see some room for improvement, sure, but you are a solid partner, if a bit shaky on the financial tip.

But just imagine that several of them hated this one specific thing about interacting with your company. Say, for example, it was a specific phrase. To you, imagining that you are employed by the second-largest technology services firm, it sounds like “we aren’t getting paid to do that.” To your client, it sounds like “not my job.”

So imagine if the executives and leadership of your client said “we really don’t need to hear that anymore. We give you X-hundreds of millions of dollars every year for your services, and you should work with us more and try to grow your business by being able and willing.”

Now imagine you’re a senior director over delivery of certain services to this Fortune 100 telecommunications firm, and you were armed with this information. What would you tell your employees to do in order to rectify the situation?

That’s right! You’d institute the “not my job” gag order. By simply not saying that you’re going to be unhelpful, and simply being unhelpful with no explanation, your employees are giong to do a world of good to both you and your client!

Congratulations! Problem solved!

I’m not saying this actually happened anywhere. Just giving my tens of readers an opportunity to imagine a better life for themselves.