The Manager 120 - We're all connected
THE MANAGER - BY ROB LAMBERT
Hi,
I hope you are safe and well and had a cracking festive break.
So, that’s the back of 2020 which was a trying year for all of us. 2021 looks to be a trying start, but fingers crossed the vaccine can be distributed and we can start to return to some sense of normality.
We’re all connected
There’s an underlying theory within systems thinking that we’re all connected to each other.
In many faiths, philosophies and religions there is also this belief too - that we are all connected to each other.
If we take this down a level and look within the "system" of our own company or work, we can really start to see the power of this connectedness in action.
As a manager, leader or employee you can make better decisions and more impactful improvements to your work, if you can see the connections. Even if you can’t make them visible you can at least acknowledge that they exist.
Every action, interaction and work output pushes and pulls on everyone else in the business. We are connected.
When sales sell something the company doesn't actually offer, it has an effect on the roadmap and the work of others.
When development ships some code that fails, it has an effect on support, sales, marketing and of course, the development team. Rework is common.
When marketing does a cracking job this has a positive effect on sales - which will then have an effect on everything else.
When managers and leaders make ill informed decisions, the consequences can be far reaching.
We are always in tension across the business. It’s why it’s so sad to hear managers and leaders encouraging competition between people and teams. Why? We’re all connected. We can quickly destroy productivity and cooperation through internal competition.
Working out how your actions, interactions and work affect other people is the first step to understanding how to make sensible improvements to your own work. Working with other leaders and managers to understand the entire value chain is crucial too - so is understanding the common factors that prevent growth and delivery.
This requires studying and an appreciation that we’re all connected.
It’s beautiful to see work flowing and people cooperating in an organisation. When it happens, it’s magical. And it all starts with knowing that we’re all connected.
Lift this up a few levels and it’s clear to see that everyone in your industry is connected. Everyone in your community is connected. Everyone is needed. Everyone has a role to play. The key is understanding how we impact other people - and whether it is positive or not.
Systems thinking is a logical and basic approach to management and leadership, but sadly not one I see practiced often. Competing goals, stupid incentives, departmental budgeting and competition are the signs people aren't thinking holistically or systemically. They are dividing people and work into smaller units, rather than looking at the whole.
Today, look at your world of work and ask “How does what I do affect the rest of the business?”.
If it’s clear what impact you have, you can make sound decisions. If it’s not clear, it’s a great project to kick off 2021 with - studying how you affect others and the system.
With that - I wish you a cracking week and thanks again for reading The Manager.
Until next time
Rob..
Latest Video
Stoicism has been a lifeline for me in recent years. The philosophy of action has helped me deal with the pandemic, focus on my own path and deal with some troubling emotions. It's the foundations of CBT and really has helped me to be a better person.
It's not all airy fairy - it's action. The latest video from me introduces 9 Stoic Lessons for leaders and managers.
https://youtu.be/jRTHYT1P3Sw
FOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN
1. A good thing to come from the pandemic is the cancellation of the dreaded annual Christmas party - https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/The-pandemic-has-canceled-this-holiday-15812450.php
2. A barrel load of resources for digital detoxing - https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-start-a-digital-detox
3. Slack could be the right tool, but is it solving the right problem? I for one, find slack more draining than email... - https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/slack-is-the-right-tool-for-the-wrong-way-to-work
4. Looking back over the next 10 years - https://seths.blog/2021/01/2030/
5. Some people seem obsessed with reading more and more books - kind of like a badge of honour - but as Open Culture reports - it's important to ensure you choose the right books - https://www.openculture.com/2020/12/carl-sagan-on-the-importance-of-choosing-wisely-what-you-read.html
6. Women are better leaders during a crisis - https://hbr.org/2020/12/research-women-are-better-leaders-during-a-crisis
7. Important lessons for leaders - 8 of them - https://www.inc.com/jeff-steen/8-important-lessons-for-leaders-to-practice-in-2021.html
8. Gender equality isn't about winners and losers - https://hbr.org/2020/12/gender-equity-is-not-zero-sum?
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Thanks
Rob..