You do not have to be a master to mentor. You do not have to be the best at what you do, neither you need to be an expert in what you do. You might have a passion, but that is just a like most of the time. You might feel competent and knowledgeable, but … Continue reading To mentor
Tag: bias
Not going to work
The things you say have a life of their own. They do not fade once you are done saying them. They keep floating, and those who have heard them carry them around for an indefinite amount of time. They change in meaning. They change in strength. They change in effect. Often they are still there … Continue reading Not going to work
Training empathy
We must say "I am sorry" and "thank you" as many time as it is needed to strip the expressions of any trace of shame, defeat, capitulation. We must say that often, over and over again. Even when we are not fully convinced we should. Even when the other person's behaviour does not fully justify … Continue reading Training empathy
Not a straight line
Checking for others' motives is a futile exercise, whose only purpose is to strengthen our internal narratives. If I believe my work is not good enough, then the person asking how it is going is doing that only to mock me and enjoy my failure. If I am not worth of the love of anybody, … Continue reading Not a straight line
The kirppis experience
Here in Finland, second hand is quite popular. There are plenty of shops that sell second hand stuff, mainly clothes and furniture, but also other items people is happy to pass on to someone else. They are called kirppis. Kirppis usually have plenty of items. And yet, when you walk into one, there is no … Continue reading The kirppis experience
In check
Most of the decisions we take are evaluated based on their outcomes. And so we find ourselves telling a story around how we chose that option over the other one because of that last minute information we got, or because of the underlying trend we picked up, or because of that opportunity that suddenly presented … Continue reading In check
Obligation
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 … Continue reading Obligation
What we’d like
How would you like others to treat you? If you are having a bad day, and still need to go out to buy some groceries. You just grab the first clothes you can find and don't worry about your hair. What would you like others to say? If you are having a tough period, and … Continue reading What we’d like
Openly ask
Do you ever bother to openly ask? A team member, what they would like to work on. A customer, how they will be using your product. A user, what topic would they be happy receiving content about. Your partner, how would they feel if something would happen. Your boss, what's keeping them up at night. … Continue reading Openly ask
Find the challenge
It's pleasant to hear we are right, to be praised for the great work we are doing, to be surrounded by people who let us do what we believe is worth doing. And yet, it's a position in which we should feel uncomfortable. As nobody is perfect, and most of us are far from it, … Continue reading Find the challenge
