Category: leadership

A culture of focus

FabrizioLeave a comment

We need to reset the expectations when it comes to synchronous communication at work.

People feel the pressure to be on top of things, to answer messages, to be available, to participate, to socialise, to share, to comment, to leave a funny emoji. Unfortunately, none of that is productive, none of that delivers value to the customer, the shareholder, the community, and none of that is good for the long-term well-being of the individual employee.

We need to facilitate people to do work that matters, that they are proud of, that makes them feel accomplished. And as managers, we need to be able to keep in check our ego, our anxiety, our excitement, to accept that colleagues will get back to us when it makes sense to them.

It’s not only about turning notifications off, setting do-not-disturb time, removing apps when on holidays. It’s about changing the culture.

If you are on top, it’s for you to set the example.

When it’s not possible

FabrizioLeave a comment

Sometimes you get asked something that it is not possible to deliver or something that you do not know how to deliver. And then our natural inclination is to overdo, split hairs, change plans, stress us and others, look for additional information. Everything in the attempt to find the answer.

A good reminder is that “I don’t know” is always a viable starter in these cases. It builds credibility, it opens us to learning, it welcomes new possibilities, and it accepts the idea of failure.

Perhaps some people will not accept it as an answer.

Good luck trying to make them happy in one of the other ways.

Supporting

FabrizioLeave a comment

If you are going to interview for a startup, between 30 and 100 employees, spend your focus probing one thing: what is the role of the founders?

That’s a critical phase for a founder to change their role: from guiding force to supporting resource. All the energy, the motivation, the knowledge, the urge that has led the founders to start the company needs to be passed over for it to scale, and the only way to do that is if the founders are capable to take a supporting role and let go of things, responsibilities, decisions.

It’s not really a matter of roles or of titles, but a matter of attitude. Look at three things.

  1. The tenure of the people who have joined the startup in the second phase, from 15 to 40 employees. If they leave soon, particularly if they have previous experience and success, that’s a sign the founders are still very much in control.
  2. The way the company spends money to train and promote (promising) employees. If there’s little to no money invested in personal development, salary adjustments, perks and benefits, that’s a sign the founders are still very much in control.
  3. The dynamic of the leadership team, the people who manage people. If there’s separation, factions, silos instead of unity, togetherness, mutual projects, that’s a sign the founders are still very much in control.

It’s important, because when founders act as a support to a growing company, it can be a beautiful opportunity. When they aim at retaining control, instead, well that’s not for everybody.

Claim

FabrizioLeave a comment

Many restaurants claim the serve Italian food. Few actually do.

Many managers claim they give freedom to their employees. Few actually do.

Many start-up claim they are out to change the world. Few actually do.

Many people claim they are the best in their field. Few actually are.

Many influencers claim they have influence over their audience. Few actually do.

As it turns out, the more you claim, the less you do.

Contagious

FabrizioLeave a comment

The surest way to get ahead is to be kind.

Not because it is easy, it is incredibly difficult most of the time. Not because it is immediate, in fact it is mainly long term. Not because it is tangible, it’s mostly about practice and belief. Not because it is popular, there are not many business books who praise kindness over hustle. Not because it is visible, mostly it is about standing in the back of the stage.

But because it is contagious.

Kindness spreads, and if you start pouring some around, everyone will be better off.

Starting with you.