Author: Fabrizio

Villain turned hero

Fabrizio1 Comment

Many business books (strategy books, leadership books, self-improvements books) present their ideas in a villain vs hero way.

On one side, there are undesirable strategies, leadership styles, behaviours, tactics and on the other are desirable strategies, leadership styles, behaviours, tactics.

And this is where they fail to inspire change, for two reasons mainly. First of all, very few people identify with the villain – I am not the villain, then why should I change?. And secondly, the positive features of the hero are presented as innate, almost magical – I am not a demi-god, so why bother?.

A villain turned hero approach would probably be more effective. It would humanize failure, introduce shades of grey, and make the whole story more approachable and relatable.

This is something to keep in mind also for the next story you are going to tell.

Dull and easy

Fabrizio1 Comment

The stigma around topics such as failure, ignorance, inexperience makes us hide the very same seed that would allow us to grow. We do not ask the question, we do not show the weakness, we do not seek guidance. Eventually we end up being the same, if not diminished.

We are more silent when we should be more vocal.

And on the other hand, we are met with silence when we should be cheered loudly.

How often do you share just to meet an embarrassed withdraw? How often do you ask just to meet an awkward silence? How often do you open up just to meet shameful rejection?

Everything is dull and easy on the surface.

It is when you go deep, and allow the others to go deep, that things start getting interesting.

The best self-promotion tool

Fabrizio1 Comment

If you are starting in a new role, make it your first priority to talk to people who work close to you.

Your direct reports, their reports, your peers, those you will collaborate with in adjacent teams, your manager, their manager.

There is no rule for where you should stop, just do it with common sense.

And while the instict would probably push you to use the conversations to promote yourself, your background, your agenda, make it so instead that you will mainly listen. Understand who you are talking to, what motivates them, how they get measured, what success means to them.

If you do that effectively, you can’t fail. You will deliver exactly what they need, and they will be the ones promoting you and your agenda when that is needed.

Listening is the best self-promotion tool.

Looking the best

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The energy we invest in looking good is in a negative relationship with our ability to actually be good.

Looking the best. Being the best.

The earlier you realize which one matters, the earlier you will be gifted with time and resources to go do what you care about.

From the inside out

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If only should be the last resource when we are trying to find a reason. In reality, we often use it as the go-to excuse when we are trying to hide.

If only the weather was good, I would go for a walk.

If only they would care, I could publish more articles.

If only my boss would get me, I would finally be promoted.

If only my partner would listen, our relationship would be fine.

Many situations are better approached from the inside out. What can you change? What can you control? What are the things you are going to do no matter what?

When you do that, if only fades away. And you will find there is more you can do to change the narrative you are stuck into.