Yes. No. Maybe.

When I was a kid I enjoyed sleeping over at my grandparents house. They only lived a half mile away, so getting up and making it to school was never an issue. But my parents played this game with me. I would ask my mom if I could spend the night at my grandparent's house, and she would say, "See what your father says."

I would then ask my dad, who would respond, "See what your mother says."

I was young. And it took me a while to come to understand the game. Of course, all along, they were having a blast having me run from one person to another.

This is probably why I came to understand that when my parents said "Maybe," it typically meant "Yes." I can't think of too many times when "Maybe" turned into "No."

Then I entered the business world. And in business, more often than not, "Maybe" means "No." Actually, "Maybe" often is just a non-decision. Proposals are made, initiatives are started, presentations are given, the decision point is upon everyone and... Nothing.

I can celebrate a "Yes." I can accept a "No." But I can't stand a "Maybe."

"Maybe" is indefinite. Whatever the idea or initiative was, it is now doomed to die a slow, painful death.

"Maybe" is kissin' cousin to "Try." Have you ever "tried" to do something? It's impossible. Yoda said it best in Star Wars, "Do, or do not. There is no try."

Corporate America could take a lesson from the little green extraterrestrial sage. If there's a decision, let everyone know. People can move forward with knowledge. However, ambiguity leaves them in limbo — it forces them to make their own decision as to what has really happened. And in the meantime, they've wasted days and weeks trying to figure it out.

The worst decision is indecision. Do your employees and company a favor. Work to stay away from "Maybe."