When evaluating work, “Good enough” is an interesting choice, as depending on the context, it could be necessary, an insult, an easy way out, and/or compassionate. Maybe the project is over-budget and past it’s due date. Good enough lets you ship and move on. Maybe the work is under par, […]
Category: culture building
Juneteenth
Juneteenth becoming a national holiday was a long-time coming. Our country, at a federal level, is finally coming to terms with the need to acknowledge the fact that America was built on slavery. We’re far from where we should be, with modern day slave labor still occuring in the prison […]
How Will You Show Up Today?
At the top of my computer monitor, on a piece of white artist’s tape, I’ve written “How will you show up today?” It’s a reminder that everything I do is a choice. I can choose to slack off, or work with focus and intention. I can choose to show up […]
Absolutes
In most cases, thinking in absolutes is a recipe for disaster. Rarely do absolutes serve us, especially if it has anything to do with people. Absolutes often blind us to nuance, and it is here in nuance that all of the skills that build trust live.
“Good Job”
You can tell someone “Good job,” but how you say it, when you say, and the context of where you say it all matter. “Good job?” when an excited intern dares to suggest something in the middle of a meeting sends a very different message than “Good job!” sent to […]
Snowflakes
“Snowflake” is commonly used as an insult these days, attacking someone’s fragility when they’re not willing to take criticism. Interesting that most people who use this as an insult end up being fairly fragile themselves, but that’s not my point. My point is that “snowflake” might be the perfect metaphor […]
When the Hype Fails
It’s great to promise an amazing work culture, filled with agency and care, sustainability and equality. However, if your culture doesn’t live up to the hype, you’ll begin to create anti-fans who are willing to put their reputations on the line to speak out against your toxicity. Note that if […]
Repercussions
With a formal leadership role, it’s tempting to let the allure of power go to one’s head. But the true role of a leader is actually one of taking responsibility. The power to make decisions has to scale accordingly with the amount of responsibility you take for your actions. The […]
I love direct feedback” – Part 3
Most people who say “I love direct feedback” confuse being direct with being an asshole. Actual direct feedback addresses the issue, and offers either a solution or a propelling question that could be used to improve it. “This isn’t working because of X, and I suggest doing Y.” Being an […]
“I love direct feedback” – Part 2
You might love direct feedback. Good for you. Others might not. You can decide to impose your preferences upon others and build a culture of toxic tyranny, or you could do the actual work of figuring out how people need to hear feedback so that they’ll actually implement it without […]