Tag: communication

Ideas out

FabrizioLeave a comment

When you put your idea out, it is the whole world to you.

For anybody else, it is just one of the hundreds heard in the past few days.

This is a gap that drives a lot of misunderstanding (“that’s not what I meant!“), frustration (“they do not care!“), and missed opportunities (“I give up!“).

It is a gap that is your responsibility to fill.

And so, when you put your idea out.

Go straight to the point. We might get interested in the background story at some point, definitely not the first time we get in touch. What do you do? Why do I care? Keep it short, actually shorter.

Make it stand out. You will not break through the noise if you just repeat what others are saying. The way they are saying it. My idea will increase your team’s productivity! It will save you money! It will make your floors shine brighter! Pass.

Make it relevant. And I am not sure if I should rather say specific. Generic messages that aim for the masses are doomed these days. Aim carefully, and craft it as if your audience’s well being would depend on it.

Gripes go up

FabrizioLeave a comment

If you are in a position of power, be mindful not to complain to people who report to you.

Work is probably tougher, you are asked to juggle a load of different tasks, you are supposed to find time to talk to people, you negotiate, compromise, often work after hours, and I am sure at times it feels like simply too much to handle.

Yet, no one has forced that position onto you. You have a role that reflects the additional burdens, and most likely a salary that does that too. And if people who report to you can find the empathy to appreciate your difficulties, you are certainly more equipped (or you should be) to find the empathy to not push your frustration down the ranks.

Your organization might be flat, your management style open, friendly, and transparent.

But gripes go up.

That’s the only way you can affect change.

Private Reiben: Hey, so, Captain, what about you? I mean, you don’t gripe at all?

Captain Miller: I don’t gripe to you, Reiben. I’m a captain. There’s a chain of command. Gripes go up, not down. Always up. You gripe to me, I gripe to my superior officer, so on, so on, and so on. I don’t gripe to you. I don’t gripe in front of you.

Save Private Ryan

Not listening

FabrizioLeave a comment

Not listening is not only ignoring.

It is also finding weak reasons to continue on the path that is less risky, motivating the current situation with urgency, hiding behind busyness, coming up with own ways to define reality, diminishing the arguments of others, expressing agreement with words and not follow up with actions.

And most of all, it is about talking.

Better not ask

FabrizioLeave a comment

Sometimes we do not ask because we do not want to be an annoyance.

Our team needs a new tool to do their job, but the company is going through a difficult period, better not ask.

Our customers need a new feature, but Product already has their hands full, better not ask.

Our prospects do not understand our message, but management is solid on their vision, better not ask.

Of course, not asking simply means we are shifting the annoyance on somebody else, somebody who has less power, who is farther, whom complaints we cannot hear. Our team, our customers, our prospects.

Next time you are not asking, consider who you are annoying with your inaction. It’s a trade off, after all.

Bandaid

FabrizioLeave a comment

When you launch a rebrand, it’s often better to just rip off the bandaid.

One piece of evidence.

Google launched Workspace today, as a replacement to Google G Suite offering.

Microsoft launched Microsoft 365 six months ago, as a replacement (?) to Office 365 offering.

Judge for yourselves.

Google Workspace above the fold
Microsoft 365 above the fold