Tag: entrepreneurship

Quarreling

FabrizioLeave a comment

Why are you so involved in this quarrel?

It is an honest question to ask yourself, particularly when things stall and no progress is made towards a resolution.

More often than not, we discuss to feed our ego.

Of course, we believe our perspective is the right one (the people we are discussing with do believe theirs is too). But deep down, we do not know. And experience should tell us that minimum variations to a plan, to a campaign, to a project, do not return major fluctuations in the outcome under most circumstances.

So, why are you so involved in this quarrel?

Consider the scenario in which you win, and see if the impact on the context you are seeking to affect would be bigger than the time, the energy, the foregone opportunities you are investing right now.

Making a step back and giving way is probably the most productive thing you can do. That’s a way to cultivate the focus you need to change the world.

All the difference

FabrizioLeave a comment

Discussing a plan, an idea, a project, a strategy with somebody who’s on a different agenda is challenging.

To push it through, you might be tempted to do one or more of the following.

Make it about the lack of alternatives – i.e. if we don’t do this, we will do nothing.

Make it about the very reason why the group exists – i.e. if we don’t do this, we will disappear.

Make it about something that is happening right here, right now – i.e. if we don’t do this, we will lose the opportunity.

Make it about the will of somebody in power – i.e. if we don’t do this, they will be disappointed.

These are shortcuts. Their main effect is to plant the seed of resistance in those listening. Depending on the circumstance, you might get the desired outcome (the plan, the idea, the project, the strategy will be executed). Yet eventually it will be a bare minimum outcome, something you yourself will be unwilling to put forward.

An alternative approach would be the following: here is what we want to achieve, how do we go about it? When you give people a problem instead of a thing to do, you’ll unlock their creativity and expertise. And they will be committed to delivering their best work, something you yourself will be proud to put forward.

It makes all the difference.

Do better

FabrizioLeave a comment

Asking others to do better, to be better is missing perspective.

A more productive approach would be enquiring about what you can do to enable them to do better, to be better. And follow up with what is needed.

An even more productive approach would be to figure out how you can do better, be better. And by simply doing that, make those around you shine brighter, achieve more, reach higher.

Finally, we could take it on our own to change the environment and the rules of the game so that what others are doing or the way they are would already be better.

When we ask others to do better, to be better we sort of take our own responsibility out of the picture. Yet, it feels to me there’s quite a lot we can do to achieve exactly the better we want others to achieve.

Needed

FabrizioLeave a comment

If you are a leader in this difficult time, go on video as soon as possible and talk to the people that look at you for an answer. Make it a recurrent thing, and most of all make it about them. How they feel, what they fear, what they need, how they are going to get out on the other side (with your help).

All the rest is unneeded.

Authority and people

FabrizioLeave a comment

Why do people keep going out and gather in groups when they are told to stay in and avoid in person contacts?

Because it is very difficult for each one of us to picture what could be, what could happen, the damage (or good) we might be bringing about. Until that is finally here and now, close.

And of course, because asking people to change habits, to let go of freedom, to do something that is not on their agenda, can only be effective if your communication is clear, straightforward, honest and transparent.

That’s what authority is based on today.

Both these points, by the way, are good reminders for all those working in marketing and seeking to make a change.