The Manager 153 - Earn Respect
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The Manager - Edition 153 - What are you saying "No" to?
Hi,
Hope you are safe and well. I am in the final throes of my dreadful HR qualification - the last module and then it's party time. So, I've been super busy with that.
It go me thinking about prioritisation.
What are we saying “No” to?
Every day in a good business is busy.
We often have more work than we have people, energy or time. Good businesses require us to be nearly constantly prioritising work.
One way to get to the heart of prioritisation is to ask this question: “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 automate 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 hire this person, who 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.
The question of “what are we saying no to?” works in your own life 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 in work and life.
We cannot possibly solve every problem, learn every new skill, overcome every single obstacle, meet every single person, spend time doing everything we want. 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 available, the consequences of the choice and the alternative paths.
By simply trying to do everything, you may come undone.
Rob..
Interesting Reads
Run your own race - nice little article on why running your own race is so important, rather than focusing on other people. This is precisely why I spend so little time on LinkedIn (I gave up on Twitter years ago). Every time I go on LinkedIn I feel inadequate. I know this is my problem but everyone seems to be doing so well. Awards, new jobs, great job titles, etc. I know they gave up some things to get there and I know my path is my own, but LinkedIn seems to be about the humble brag - and it gets to me - so I disconnect and focus on my own race, just like Ava in this article.
"There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading in the same direction, so it doesn't matter which path you take. The only one wasting time is the one who runs around and around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong." - From James Clear's excellent newsletter.
Decent article on broken meetings, remote meetings, returning to the office and who decides.
Not sure what you want from your career - how about high speed career sampling?
Management is often about ensuring the right, truthful and accurate information is seen and heard by all in the company. The grapevine works well and I always suggest managers help to feed it with the right information, rumours start and end (and managers should never engage in gossip and rumour) but at all times good managers are aiming for the truth. But in a world where fake news and disinformation spread so quickly, it's sad to see Reddit not challenging this mis-information - instead they call it democracy.
Managing remote employees - Lattice claim it's everything you need to know - I'd call that clickbait, but this article does have some useful ideas.
Great to see Seth blogging about solving problems. I think "What problem are we trying to solve?" is one of the most important questions anyone can ask.
Until next week
Rob..
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Thanks
Rob..