Category: leadership

Rules

FabrizioLeave a comment

Setting rules is necessary in some cases. And it’s also exhausting for both parts.

The one who sets the rule needs to first come up with the rule, then communicate it, then enforce it, punish non compliance and adapt the rule so that it gets to cover new cases and new behaviour.

The one who is subjected to the rule needs to understand it, absorb it, find ways to work within the boundaries set by it, and perhaps at some point fight to have it changed.

There are few things that create a greater divide than rules.

If you truly have to set one, be sure it comes from a place of recognized expertise and authority, it is well communicated and it is open-ended.

And despite the best efforts, be prepared to have the bond of trust broken.

Obligation

FabrizioLeave a comment

The reverence, adoration, awe reserved to people in leadership positions is what in most cases will make them lose their authority and power.

If you really care about the person, if you like them, want to work with them, want to learn from them, want them to stay in the job for as long as they decide to, then you owe them a challenge, a question, a contrarian point of view, a new idea, a plan they had not though about, a truth they did not want to hear. It is your obligation.

Reassurance

FabrizioLeave a comment

People seek reassurance. That’s true also for business buyers. And so, the sense of urgency, threat, panic that transpires from your content is most likely driving them away.

People seek reassurance. That’s true also for employees. And so, the unilateral changes, the top-down priority, the additional stress that are communicated with dry words are most likely driving them away.

It goes without saying.

“Now more than ever …”.

Lessons

FabrizioLeave a comment

You can find great lessons everywhere, even in books you are just reading for pleasure and enjoyment.

“There is satisfaction,” he said to Dalinar, “in creating a list of things you can actually accomplish, then removing them one at a time. As I said, a simple joy.”

“Unfortunately, I’m needed for bigger things than shopping.”

“Isn’t that always the problem? Tell me, my friend. You talk about your burdens and the difficulty of the decision. What is the cost of a principle?”

“The cost? There shouldn’t be a cost to being principled.”

“Oh? […] Isn’t a principle about what you give up, not what you gain?”

“So it’s all negative?” Dalinar said. “Are you implying that nobody should have principles, because there’s no benefit to them?”

“Hardly,” Nohadon said. “But maybe you shouldn’t be looking for life to be easier because you choose to do something that is right! Personally, I think life is fair. It’s merely that often, you can’t immediately see what balances it.”

Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer

A selfish act

FabrizioLeave a comment

There’s plenty of leaders out there these days delivering bad news. And if there’s one thing they should avoid when the time comes, is trying to frame it in a positive light. Particularly if they do not give space to the receiver to digest it all and get there themselves.

Sure, laying employees off can help caring for kids who are forced to stay home, give people the time to take that training, and dedicate hours to the hobby they have neglected.

But if you, as a leader, suggest that, you are merely trying to make it easier for you to deliver the news. It is a selfish act, one that is not needed.