How to handle task given to group without specific assignment

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified)
in
What is the best way for me as an individual contributor to respond when an email is sent by a senior person/manager to a group of peers asking for a task to be done, but without assigning the task to anyone? Something like "Team, we need to do tasks X and Y". These are new tasks not previously discussed or assigned. The High D and C in me thinks "Ok great, who do you want to do it?", but I suspect that is not a good response :-) Do I reply and ask for clarification, offer to volunteer to do it, or something else? Does anyone else have experience with this? I'd appreciate your advice.
Submitted by Mark McConkie on Friday January 27th, 2017 12:46 pm

I think you're on the right track by offering to volunteer. It will be a good way to separate yourself from the crowd and grow in responsibility. Even something simple like, "I can take that task! When can I review my initial results with you?". Or even better, "I'll take that on. Can I meet with you for 10 minutes on Wednesday to talk about how it's coming? I want to make sure I'm on the right track."