Categoría: attitude

Information and trust

Publicado en attitude, communication, leadershipDeja un comentario

Information: #data, #fake_news, #gossip, #tweets, #conversations, #corporate_Communication, #memos, #meetings, #stories, #presentations, #useful, #verified, #estimation…

We live in the era of hyper information. We find anything we want or need, even more, more than we want or look for, we have information overload.

Depending on the source it comes from, we credit it or not. But at the same time, it’s because of the type of information that the source provides over time, that it becomes a «reliable source». Trust is earned with a lot of and constant effort, and it’s really easy to be lost.

We are, therefore, in the era in which trust is a highly valued asset as its production is very scarce. Information is valuable, but it has to be handled wisely.

The Untrustworthy path:

  • Misinforming your colleagues can lead to bad decision
  • Keeping information to yourself, can make you shine for one second but…
  • Releasing the required information when used to one’s own benefit…
  • Manipulating reality, information or conversations
  • Taking ownership of another person’s words…
  • Making up what happened, creating fake news
  • …

The Trustworthy path:

  • Right information to the right people
  • Unbiased analysis, information
  • The truth (adapted to the audience)
  • Acknowledging the unawareness
  • ….

Building trust, becoming a reliable source is not an easy, nice path to walk. It’s difficult, but moreover when it seems we should know everything or more than others. When information, more available than before is more blurred than ever. Who can we rely on?

Too much, too many, too…

Publicado en attitudeDeja un comentario

That’s too difficult, I have too much work, there are too many people in the room, I have too many ideas, it’s too good to be true, this is a project with too many issues, too many participants, today visited us too many customers …

Just starting the sentence with this «too», tires us, lowers the energy level. It stops us, puts limits to our capacity, effort or even interest. We are just saying: I will not make it, I can not deal with all the work I have, I should not even try, nothing good will come out from trying, we are not able to respond to the current demand, people won’t be committed to the project… Are we facing actual limits or just excuses?

Next time you feel overwhelmed, replace too much, too many… by a lot of, enough not get bored, … because our language reflects and shapes the way we see the world, the way we act and react.

De-escalate, adjust expectations, reshape the size of the problem, of the fear into workable pieces. After completing each of these new smaller milestones, you will see it wasn’t that hard, it wasn’t such a big deal, … reshape the way you face challenges, it is easier to find a suitable solution and helps to climb higher without even notice. Try it and move.

The lost headphones

Publicado en attitudeEtiquetado como Deja un comentario

I recently lost my wireless headphones. I loved them, they were light, handy, perfect for my short running training or long walking days. Anyway, they are gone. A pair of new ones are on their way. But, before buying I made some research. Down the road some similarities with how connected to the environment we want to be.

 

  • Noise cancelling headphones, perfect for those occasions when you are not even interested in what is going on around you. Lousy news, lousy people. The only focus has to be your own path, project or next decision making. Simply removing any potential distraction or criticism (easy to say I would not have done it that way, it did not go well when you did not even try).
  • Ear-in, allowing a partial disconnection. When wanted you might pull one off so you can hear what is going on or what someone has to say to you. Unplug and plug. Re-connect and disconnect. As you wish.
  • Open ear headphones (bone conduction technology, amazing huh?!): 100% connected to the outside world, hear what is happening while keeping up your pace. Your music and your world coping with each other.

 

There are many times when we are not interested in what people has to say, we are swamped by free talk, unrequested advice or opinion. Sometimes we feel we need to focus on what is important for us, but hear what friends or close people thinks about it, we care about their view. And in other cases, we don’t want to miss a thing, totally connected, adapting our movements to others reactions.

It’s always our choice to use one type or another, our choice to decide how to be connected with life. You can even decide not to use any headphones at all.

Mirror, mirror on the wall!

Publicado en attitudeDeja un comentario

“Mirror! Mirror on the wall! Who is the fairest of them all?” And the magic mirror would say, “You are, Your Majesty!” But one day, the mirror replied, “Snow White is the fairest of them all!”

 

I am quite sure that most of you have read the story about Snow White and the wicked stepmother. In real life there are people and companies that match both characters.

Wicked stepmother:

  • The person who thinks is the best, the smartest, the most powerful, … who can not stand not being the MOST whatever or the first in everything. Who if becoming aware that there is someone better, or just close enough to be a competitor will inmediately start thinking on how to use dirty tricks to get ahead, or destroy the oponent. Always comparing with other people. Never having enough.
  • The company, who thought would always be THE referent, never revisited what customer wanted, … Ignoring or diminshing other companies. But, suddenly, founds out that out there is Snow White. So, not focusing on its core business, listening to its employees… starts turning back, once, twice…looking at competitors, trying to copy what they do, losing their own track (culture, vision, mission) until all of the sudden, they no longer need to look behind..because  they have become followers. Now, they have to run.

Snow White:

  • Type of person who doesn’t want to compare with others, happy with what she/he is and has. Takes care of his beloved ones, tries to become a better person, to learn, to share day after day. Not even considering that someone might feel any shade of envy.
  • The company, focus on customer. Wants to be better, to do better. Cares for its customers, listens to their needs, requests, demands,… Looks after the employees. Competes against the old «themselves». Team, creating, improving.

Too many wicked stepmothers. I like the healthy, fair competition between the large number I found of Snow Whites. Build the vest versions of ourselves.

Home made pizza

Publicado en attitude1 comentario

In the mood for a home made pizza, took all the ingredients from the fridge, elaborated the pizza dough, prepared the baking tray, put the oven on to heat… 10 minutes later had my delicious pizza ready.

The thing is, two ingredientes were left behind, had been taken from the fridge, put aside, but no one ever look onto them, only after the pizza was ready.

There are many times when we don’t pay enough attention, we are on the autopilot mode. Our mind is not truely where it should be, focused.

The Pizza story teaches us, that is good to do one thing at a time, 100% focused, paying attention to every single, tiny ingredient, to every minute in the oven, we decided it was the time to, we decided to fulfil a task. And we did, but we did not excel, we performed.

If you want to deliver the best of you in every piece of work, even if there is not enough time, you don’t have all the components, all the tools available, make sure you do one thing at a time. You will make what you are doing the most important job to you. This is when you do great things, maybe not perfect but great.

When you trust too much your knowledge, your tools, and you stop focusing, letting your ideas fly away, that is when you only risk delivering. You will miss things, the work will not be WOW! It will just, simply be.

One thing at a time. Go through every step before starting, even if it’s the 1,000,000 time you do it.

 

Getting the solution before knowing what the problem is

Publicado en attitude, communicationDeja un comentario

Our background, prejudices, paradigms, … all affect our decisions, or at least the way we see the world. It is black, green or white, but it is what we know it is. When we face a challenge, specially a problem-solving one, we usually let this influence have an important role in the process. And it’s then, when we, even before knowing what the problem is, jump to the conclusions, offer a solution.

There are quite a few possibilities to get it wrong, especially when we are working in a team. We just jump with what WE know that works, and we don`t even listen to the rest. Then, a battle for the right solution starts. It can be quiet, but it starts a tug-of-war. There is no way to get it right.

So when we are forced to agree on the goal/expectation, and then on what is/are the problems we face by not meeting the expectations, when we list and detail them, when we are requested to explain what we really mean, answer all the questions and chose the ones that we feel we should be trying to fix, it’s easier. It’s intricately easier. At first, we are lost in the chaos, we want to have the solution, now, mine, the ONE. Just be patient. Wait. After the chaos, you will see what is or are the real problems you are demanded to solve.

How often do we forget about common sense, respect and active listening? That’s how often we miss the opportunity to find out the right solution.

When we listen, respect others opinion and build on that is when the team feels that what was completed it was a thing of all, not a thing of one.

You don’t need a board to have that, just practice it.

 

My «excuse» for skipping one week publishing is having my laptop at the «pc hospital»… 😦

The healthy part of breaking up

Publicado en attitudeEtiquetado como , Deja un comentario
It’s not exclusive of couples. We break up with things, companies and people every day.

With our car, when we switch it for car sharing.

With our hairdresser, when we move to a new neighbourhood and find one we like just across the street.

With our customers, when we decide to focus on a specific segment.

With a company, when as customers we acquire the services of a different one because they give us what we need.

With our profession, when by chance we find a different path to follow.

With our job, when we look and find new opportunities.

With our current diet when we decide to lose weight and eat healthier.

There is a heatlhy thing about that. And it is that we realise things as they were, weren’t working. We wake up, hesitate, make a decision and change, move for better.

 

There is always something healthy to take away from a break up.

The personal process of transforming daydreams into real

Publicado en attitude, leadershipEtiquetado como , , , Deja un comentario

I have written in this blog a lot about uncertainty, how averse or inclined we are. Without regard of what type you are, we all go through different stages when starting something new.

These last weeks I have rediscovered mines. Projects and adventures, have driven me through this kind of rollercoaster. Many people has drawn similar curves. This is my personal view of fun, mistery and effort.

Uncertainity can make the peaks bigger or smaller but each of us, individuals, teams, … go through similar phases. If you like starting from scratch, moving in a chaotic environment, embracing uncertainty.. you might well feel these phases.

These days are days of rapid changes, volatility… shorter cycles of ups and downs. You will, eventually, get used to it and how to lead with them.

Discipline: sometimes we need a break

Publicado en attitudeEtiquetado como , Deja un comentario

When I started this blog I promised myself I would write one post per week. And I have kept this promise for longer than a year, only stopping during holidays time. It’s part of my discipline, as many others (running every weekend, doing the tasks I dislike the first in the morning…)

But, there are times when you need to halt! skip what you expect from yourself to fulfill.  That happened last week, I just didn’t feel in the mood, wanted to enjoy the party, breathe some fresh air and enjoy my town, «waste my time».

I deserved it, I have earned every single minute of that non working time.

So, don’t be so harsh on yourself. There are times you just want and need to not do what is expected, not say what is polite, …

And then, do more, do better, progressively, until you reach your cruising speed. It is part of the process of being healthy (body, mind and soul).

Reset Button: Disconnect to reconnect

Publicado en attitude, communicationEtiquetado como , , Deja un comentario

Anyone who has lived abroad for a long time and has only spoken the local language mixes words when switching to his mother tongue.

At the beginning it happens rarely, but after a while it becomes more and more usual. It’s normal.

As time goes by, our sentences are more «learned language» and «less native». We feel that our grammar, vocabulary is not… accurate. It makes sense, but it’s not 100% what it used to be before we moved. It feels awkwardly situated. The same happens when we move to a different field of expertise, or a new sector. At the beginning we are still attached to our «old» vocabulary, acronyms. But, gradually we adapt to the new ecosystem. The available space is occupied by the latest info and learnings, the old knowledge is storaged (the more time goes by the more we archive these memories in the long term storage). Yeah, it’s there, somewhere in our memory. The link with it are headlines, general ideas.

Whatever reason why we seek to regain old lands it is not an easy thing to do. When we try to retreat any knowledge/vocabulary from the «long term storage facilites of our memory» we seem lost. No backup, lost expertise, gone, blankspace.

The solution is to «press the reset button». Go back to the recovery point, «delete» temporarily what we were coded with. Disconnect to reconnect. Find ourselves again (our old «us»). It can be useful to ask for a little help, there is always someone who knows were to find the hiddest «reset buttons».