Category: culture

The lazy approach

FabrizioLeave a comment

The lazy approach to communication mandates that you pick a new tool. And it will fail, because communication is about choosing what to communicate, how often, on which channels, to whom, while making whose who communicate accountable.

The lazy approach to communication mandates that you send an email. And it will fail, because communication works better face to face, over a period of time, in a two-way fashion, and when people communicating are actually open to changing their plans based of feedback.

The lazy approach to communication mandates that you go around the room. And it will fail, because communication needs an agenda, a plan, preparation, somebody who ensures we stick to the plan, somebody who takes the responsibility to cut others short.

The lazy approach to communication mandates that you speak your mind. And it will fail, because nobody wants to listen to you rambling while you attempt to clarify your opinion, your idea, your thoughts in front of an audience, just because you could not take ten minutes to write something down in advance.

Communication is hard work. And companies should stop half-assing it.

Change starts within

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Change is inevitable, constant, and necessary.

And when you think about being an agent of change, there is one simple thing that is worth remembering: start with yourself.

Changing yourself is possible, it is under your control, and chances are that by changing yourself you are also going to change the people and the world around you.

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

Rumi

Adrift

FabrizioLeave a comment

Persistent means little without a direction.

You can endure adversities, continue despite opposition, resist most of what is thrown at you. And the best you can wish for is to end up somewhere that is not too bad.

Choose what to stick to before adventuring farther.

Conversations that connect

FabrizioLeave a comment

When you walk into a difficult conversation, check expectations, preconceptions, narratives at the door. You will have done 90% of the job.

That does not mean you are supposed to go unprepared. It just means leaving out the natural tendency to focus on things that reinforce negative ideas, and making an intentional effort to notice something positive that might be said, done, experienced.

It’s how you bring your better self into the moment. It’s how you unlock deep listening, sincere curiosity, empathic sharing. It’s how you build the connection that is necessary to talk about serious stuff.

It’s how you move forward.

First, then

FabrizioLeave a comment

First perfect the making of the dough, then go buy the perfect oven and tools to cook the best pizza.

First learn to communicate transparently and effectively, then go buy the app that makes your company more open and inclusive.

First establish a practice of running, then go buy the equipment that will make you feel more like a pro.

It’s easier to start with the details that embellish the core. It makes us feel as if we are doing something important, as if we are going in the right direction. But if you do not get the core right, you have nothing to fall back onto when you realize details are just details.