Particularly when it comes to the future. And perhaps about the past.
More often than not, we find ourselves in situations where we don’t know. Where we can’t know.
That’s a given.
The open question is how often we claim that stance. If it feels uncomfortable or awkward to acknowledge that we don’t know, we’re pretty certain to lose trust, waste confidence and find ourselves in a jam now and then.
Not knowing is going to happen. Acknowledging it is a sign of confidence and awareness.
Finding leaders who have this skill is worth the effort.
March 6, 2023
The things we do each day, every day, often arrive without intent.
By the time we realize that they’re now habits, these random behaviors have already become part of how we define ourselves and the time we spend.
Bringing intent to our rituals gives us the chance to rewire our attitudes.
But first we need to see it.
March 5, 2023
Perhaps you only acknowledge and focus on problems where you know and are comfortable with the appropriate response. Denying the existence of the other ones is easier than dealing with them.
Or it might be that you only choose to see the problems that are actually situations, that can’t be solved, and that amplify our sense of hopelessness.
It could be that you prefer the quick, urgent and easy problems, because solving them is thrilling.
Or it may be the long-term, difficult and distant problems that show up on your radar, because after all, how could you be responsible?
Problems don’t really care whether we acknowledge them or not. They still exist. What matters is how we choose to direct our energy, because our tomorrow is the direct result of the way we spend our resources today.
Pick your problems, pick your future.
March 4, 2023
Human beings never reveal all of our emotions.
We don’t simply blurt out the first thing that pops into our head in a meeting, or insult someone upon meeting them. We’re able to give people the benefit of the doubt (which requires doubt before we can offer the benefit) and to plan for the long haul.
And yet we do this essential work without thinking about it or working to get better at it.
When we’re engaging with someone, both sides benefit. And a key part of our contribution to the interaction is a willingness to conceal emotions that would undermine the efforts of our partner in this work.
There’s a lot to be said for honesty and directness. But concealment can be a generous tool if it helps everyone get to where they need to go.
March 3, 2023
If you get a 99% quality haircut or a 99% close-to-perfect meal, it’s better than good.
On the other hand, if the scrub nurse only does a 99% job of disinfecting the tools in the operating room, you’re still going to die of an infection.
Some projects respond very well to ordinary effort and 99% perfect. In fact, the last 1% isn’t worth the time, the effort or the focus.
Others fail if they’re not fully and completely to spec.
Knowing the difference between the two saves everyone a lot of stress and avoids needless cost and avoidable disasters. We come out ahead when we put our energy into the projects that reward our effort and choose to meet spec with the others.
March 2, 2023
In two weeks, I’ll be hosting a live webinar about my new book, answering questions and connecting people to get serious in discussing the new way of work. The details are here. I hope you can make it.
It’s possible that I’ve now written more bestselling business titles than any other author. Part of that is simply longevity and showing up, but most of it is your doing. The loyal readers of this blog (more than twenty years and still going) are the foundation of my career as an author, and I never forget it.
The realities of the supply chain mean that my publisher needs to make difficult decisions about paper, printing and logistics long before the book ships. Organizing and talking with readers now helps make sure there are enough books in June… and hosting a conversation, QA and celebration always seems like a good idea. Pre-order a book, come hang out online.
I hope you can make it.
Thank you.
March 1, 2023
Here’s a breakthrough that’s about to happen somewhere: A GPT that reads every email that anyone in your organization has ever sent and makes it easy to ask it questions about what the entire organization knows.
A person could probably not find the time, bandwidth or privacy constraints to do this.
But this accessible but unembarrassed database tool could quickly become a huge asset for any organization that installed it–even a soloist. Tell me who I know or what I know about XYZ…
Or consider the power of a network. If my colleagues opt in, I can simply ask the AI, “tell me who in my network is the person who knows someone at this organization, or is really interested in that topic.”
Of course, there are huge privacy implications. But your work email has never been private anyway.
February 28, 2023
There are things we avoid looking at too closely.
If we looked, really saw what was happening, we’d have to change our minds, admit we were mistaken, refactor our priorities or take action.
It’s so frightening that we even hesitate to make a list of the things we don’t want to look at. Because the list itself is frightening.
If we don’t see it, it feels safer.
February 27, 2023
It’s tempting for a creator. To make a pop hit, a song or a book or a meme that becomes a popular idea and part of the culture.
In our lifetimes, it’s become possible to imagine that you could even make a living creating pop.
But pop is a harsh mistress, because pop means popular, which is, by definition rare and unfairly distributed. As long as it’s easy to create and rare to have a hit, there will be a huge majority of people who don’t win this lottery.
And it is a lottery.
It’s tempting to believe that passion, skill and perhaps talent are sufficient to make a living in pop, but the math says otherwise.
It’s available to all of us, but there’s no guarantee that you can make a living at it.
February 26, 2023
As we continue to face difficult choices and work to make things better, it’s quite likely that the alternatives being presented aren’t ideal or even appealing.
Many organizations and communities are stuck because “none of the above” is the majority’s opinion, or perhaps the desire of those in power, or those with loud voices.
But unless you’re willing to acknowledge that you’re simply being difficult, “none of the above” comes with the responsibility to describe a path that’s better.
Because forward is the best option. Let’s go with one that makes the most sense–and if you don’t have a better plan, you should be responsible enough to back the one that’s most likely to work, even, especially, if you don’t like it.
February 25, 2023
