The Manager 98 - What are you saying no to?
THE MANAGER - BY ROB LAMBERT
Hi,
Hope you are safe and well.
It’s been a busy week here at Lambert Towers. The boys have broken up for summer holidays and my wife is working a lot. So, I’ve put a little client work to one side and spent a good couple of days entertaining the kids. I say me entertaining them, the reality is, they entertain me.
Trips to the New Forest and playing down the park have been a welcome break from the daily routine of work. It’s given me some time to reflect and reminded me of the many years working as an Engineering Manager in a tech start-up.
What are we saying “No” to?
Every day in a venture backed business is busy. With more work to do than we have people, energy or time, it required a near constant prioritisation of work, and reaction to the changing marketplace.
With competition at every turn and a growing consumer base, not to say anything about the demands of our investors, it became 10 years of permanent decision making.
One thing that stuck with me from this time though, was a simple saying we would use. Alongside the ever-present question of “What problem are we trying to solve?” was another phrase.
“If we do this, what are we saying no to?”
If we implement this new piece of architectural enhancement, what are we saying no to?
If we automated this piece of the process, what are we saying no to?
If we hire for this role, what role are we saying no to?
If we direct energy and attention on this new feature, what are we saying no to?
The list goes on.
This question works in your own life too. I’ve already spoken (and done a video) about The Pillars of Life. This question works there too.
If I take this job with great prospects, but with a demanding work pattern, what am I saying no to?
If I learn this new skill right now, what am I saying no to?
If I start my own business, what am I saying no to?
If I start this new fitness routine, what am I saying no to?
We cannot possibly achieve everything we want to in work and life. We cannot possible solve every problem, learn every new skill, overcome every single obstacle, meet every single person, spend time doing everything we want, etc. What do we need to say No to?
By thinking through what you’re saying no to, you have the chance to think about the options, the consequences, the alternatives.
By simply trying to do everything, we will come undone.
Yet in business I see it every week and month. Companies who are trying to do everything at once. Managers who are taking on too much. People who are overworked and taking time away from their families.
It’s about tension. Balancing the tension needs care, attention, evidence and thought.
As a manager, what are you doing today that you know you shouldn’t have taken on?
What can you do about it?
What decisions do you need to make at work this week?
What are the alternatives?
And more importantly, what are you giving up in your personal life for work? And is it worth it?
We’re all in different seasons of life, with different opportunities, needs, desires, motivations and privileges. It’s not always an easy process to go through.
But I can tell you this from personal experience, when we say yes to too many things, we come undone in the end.
If you want more about balancing the pillars of life – check out this post.
Until next time – go forth today and weigh up the yes and no list. And decide using evidence and insight, what’s worth investing your energy and attention on. Then commit to it and do it and say no to anything that doesn’t move you forward.
Rob..
FOOD FOR YOUR MANAGEMENT BRAIN
1. Slack in systems allows us to be more efficient - heck yes. https://seths.blog/2020/07/fake-deadlines/
2. How the toilet paper manufacturers kept up with demand. Fascinating from a management perspective. Narrow down your focus to what people want. Once it's working - scale it. And for some - cutting out the a chain in the supply chain worked - what can you do in your work that narrows down, scales what works and cuts out steps in the delivery process? - https://digg.com/video/how-toilet-paper-companies-kept-up-with-demand
3. The US government is considering banning the popular social media app TikTok for reasons related to it being owned by a Chinese company. Think privacy, security, surveillance type reasons. But isn't banning a social media app in the US a form of censorship that is often left on the doorstep of China? Tricky subject - https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/7/23/21334871/tiktok-ban-us-trump-china
4. Facebook's culture is breaking. Interesting reading about how company promises, slogans, values and posters on the wall are always undone by leadership behaviours that are not congruent with them. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/facebook-employee-leaks-show-they-feel-betrayed. As a manager and leader - your behaviours matter more than your words.
5. You're sitting wrong. Here's how to fix it. I could do with this right now. https://ideas.ted.com/youre-sitting-wrong-and-your-back-knows-it-heres-how-to-sit-instead/
6. Exposure and specialisation are the key to a successful career - I agree. And one way to get this is to job hop. https://superpath.co/blog/expand-and-contract
7. Reputations can be lost very quickly indeed. Be careful with the words you choose. https://fireflycomms.com/2020/07/21/lesson-in-reputation/
8. A lot to like and learn in this post about to remove unconscious biases from your recruitment process. https://lattice.com/library/how-to-reduce-unconscious-bias-at-work
9. Bosh fellow Trello fans - a MASSIVE list of hints and tips on using Trello - https://blog.trello.com/gigantic-list-trello-tips
10. Inclusive leadership for managers - https://firstround.com/review/the-managers-guide-to-inclusive-leadership-small-habits-that-make-a-big-impact/
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Thanks
Rob..