Tag: values

A culture of focus

FabrizioLeave a comment

We need to reset the expectations when it comes to synchronous communication at work.

People feel the pressure to be on top of things, to answer messages, to be available, to participate, to socialise, to share, to comment, to leave a funny emoji. Unfortunately, none of that is productive, none of that delivers value to the customer, the shareholder, the community, and none of that is good for the long-term well-being of the individual employee.

We need to facilitate people to do work that matters, that they are proud of, that makes them feel accomplished. And as managers, we need to be able to keep in check our ego, our anxiety, our excitement, to accept that colleagues will get back to us when it makes sense to them.

It’s not only about turning notifications off, setting do-not-disturb time, removing apps when on holidays. It’s about changing the culture.

If you are on top, it’s for you to set the example.

Take pride in boring

FabrizioLeave a comment

Most things are boring.

Like Terms of Service.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while doing them. Or be proud of them. Or make somebody enjoy them.

The guys at Wistia know this well.

When it’s not possible

FabrizioLeave a comment

Sometimes you get asked something that it is not possible to deliver or something that you do not know how to deliver. And then our natural inclination is to overdo, split hairs, change plans, stress us and others, look for additional information. Everything in the attempt to find the answer.

A good reminder is that “I don’t know” is always a viable starter in these cases. It builds credibility, it opens us to learning, it welcomes new possibilities, and it accepts the idea of failure.

Perhaps some people will not accept it as an answer.

Good luck trying to make them happy in one of the other ways.

Back to normal

FabrizioLeave a comment

If you live in the Western part of the World – or in most parts of Europe, at least – tomorrow is the day when life goes back to normal. After the presents and the food, after the hopes and the holidays, after forced conversations and much needed connections, most will go back to their office and move on with their regular life.

Be prepared, because sometimes it’s tough. Holidays – and particular Christmas holidays – tend to be dreamy, they bear a feeling of commitment and new, they open up possibilities that go beyond the 9-to-5.

So, be aware of this gap, and be ready to welcome back your routine and take with you whatever it is that has made the past holiday special. There is certainly a place for it between meetings, projects, and commuting.

Moments

FabrizioLeave a comment

When we feel pain, when we face a new crisis, when we are down and hopeless, everything becomes short term.

How will I wake up tomorrow? What will I do with this pain? How will I ever raise my head again? What is next for me?

Most of our thoughts deal with what is happening here and now. Either trying to push it away – how can I feel better? – or expanding it beyond its own boundaries – it will always be like this.

A different approach might be putting the moment in perspective. Looking at it and keeping it finite.

What am I feeling now? How likely is it that I will still feel the same next week, next month, next year? How many things will happen that will change how I feel? Was I feeling the same last week, last month, last year? Have I ever felt this way before? What did happen then?

Moments come and go, and it’s up to us for how long we want to hold onto them.