Tag: team work

Two buckets

FabrizioLeave a comment

There is a tension between execution and challenge.

Execution is about getting things done. When you execute, you act on assumptions, hoping that those assumptions are correct. Assumptions come from experience and from socialization (the assumptions of others), and in most cases they help us get by.

Challenge is about changing things. That’s when assumptions get questioned, when you are seeking a different way, something new. Challenge is a more solitary job than execution, and it requires additional energy to buy people into your new perspective.

Balancing the two is necessary. If you only execute, things will not progress, you will not progress. If you only challenge, you will soon deplete all your energy, and eventually be left alone.

What are you going to settle for?

What are you going to fight for?

Be aware of the composition of these two buckets.

Reassurance

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People seek reassurance. That’s true also for business buyers. And so, the sense of urgency, threat, panic that transpires from your content is most likely driving them away.

People seek reassurance. That’s true also for employees. And so, the unilateral changes, the top-down priority, the additional stress that are communicated with dry words are most likely driving them away.

It goes without saying.

“Now more than ever …”.

A selfish act

FabrizioLeave a comment

There’s plenty of leaders out there these days delivering bad news. And if there’s one thing they should avoid when the time comes, is trying to frame it in a positive light. Particularly if they do not give space to the receiver to digest it all and get there themselves.

Sure, laying employees off can help caring for kids who are forced to stay home, give people the time to take that training, and dedicate hours to the hobby they have neglected.

But if you, as a leader, suggest that, you are merely trying to make it easier for you to deliver the news. It is a selfish act, one that is not needed.

Practical and emotional

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Take care of what is practical. Ensure there’s food on your table, there’s cash in your bank, there’s future for your business, there’s a salary for your employees and a product for your customers.

And take care of what is emotional too. Ask how people around you are, support them with kindness, help them address their needs, be there for them often and completely.

It is your responsibility as a leader to make space for both practical and emotional. If practical takes all of your time, you are doing it wrong.

Inexpensive

FabrizioLeave a comment

People around you most likely do not care about your role, your salary, the amount of money in your bank account, how many square metres your house is, in which neighbourhood you live, the cost of the suit you wear or of the car you drive.

What matters to most, instead, is presence, love, attention, affection, care. All things that are inexpensive and available to everyone. Their value is immense.