Tag: communication

All good

FabrizioLeave a comment

When we ask “how are you?”, let’s sit down and take in the full answer.

I am fine, I wish I had more time to dedicate to this project.

I am alright, unfortunately I was not accepted for that online programme.

I am well, thanks, there has been a bit of a misunderstanding with my colleague, but I am well nonetheless.

We often rush to labelling our exchanges as “all good”, and we fail to grasp the issues we might want to act upon. And then we are surprised when the minor crack turns out to be a foundation problem. We withdraw – they said they were fine, how could they lie to us? – and we make the whole situation irreparable.

Forget the first part of the answer, hand in there until the honest reality kicks in, and tackle that head-on.

How could you make more time for the project?

How can I support you in your learning and development?

What happened, and what can I do to facilitate a conversation between you too?

That’s the way to be taken seriously, to build a relationship, and to maintain the people around you engaged and motivated.

Stronger

Fabrizio1 Comment

When you are in a leadership position, it will happen that something your team has delivered will be questioned by those you report to.

What to do?

You can side with the managers. You can side with the team. Or you can communicate both ways to find a solution that serves the greater good.

The first two options are shortcuts. They do work, yet they make victims: your team in the first case, yourself in the second. On the other end, making an effort to explain, ask, compromise is an investment of time and resources when you might have little of both. And that’s how you establish relationships that will make your organization, as a whole, stronger.

In or out

FabrizioLeave a comment

You are free to set some rules, to decide where the boundaries are, and what game you are playing. Actually, it is your responsibility. You should do that.

And once that is done, the next step is for you to figure out who is in and who is out, and for others to figure whether they are in or out.

You can’t be everything to everybody.

Take ownership of the process.

Weakness

Fabrizio1 Comment

When you abuse your power and take advantage of those below you, you put your weakness on display.

When you pay someone one third of a fair salary just because they don’t know any better or they have no other choices.

When you share news that have negative impact on the receiver with a dry note.

When you ask for more despite knowing that a “no” would have negative consequences for the other.

When you point your finger towards someone who does not have it in them to counterargument.

Power is a responsibility towards those who don’t have as much.

All their lives

FabrizioLeave a comment

People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole.

If you work in marketing, you have certainly heard this quote by professor Levitt. But that is not true, because nobody wants a quarter-inch hole in their wall. They might want to install some shelves to keep things organized, or perhaps they want to fix the furniture to the wall to prevent it from falling, or they might want a tool that makes them feel more comfortable and ready when there is some work to do around the house.

The point is that you should never stop at your product, nor you should stop at the first thing people do with your product.

Go further, understand their motivations, accompany them on the journey they are taking, and you will be with them all their lives.