Trust
December 17, 2008
According to a recent report from Forrester, people don’t trust company blogs. No shocker there. I would have been shocked to discover otherwise.
“What?” you say. “Dave, I thought you were really into blogs.” “Are you not in charge of your company blog?”
I am the guy who is the champion here at LUCRUM for this blog, and I am not the slightest bit surprised that people don’t trust “company blogs.” People don’t generally trust companies, they trust people. To be trusted takes time. People need to understand each other. People need clear expectations of one another. People need honest interaction and discussion with other people to create trust. Need proof? The same study shows that the most trusted channel of communication is email from PEOPLE YOU KNOW. (Not SPAM!) People trust other people.
For a company blog to be successful it needs to be about the people. It needs to be a forum for honest discussion, creative ideas, and interesting conversations. The same Forrester report goes on to outline how to create greater trust and improve a “company blog.”
One of the suggestions offered is to write about the problem’s of your customers. Explore ways that you might be able to solve those problems, and start a ongoing dialog. This is a great way to drive valuable innovation and demonstrate a willingness to listen to the wants and needs of your clients.
However, my favorite piece of advice from the article pertains to B2B companies. Forrester advises firms to “let their employees get in on the act.” Having a sanitized, polished, pre-approved blog, completely devoid of the real input of real people is a sure fire way to destroy trust. Authenticity can not be manufactured. This point pertains back to my initial statement that of course people don’t trust company blogs, they trust people - real people.
Another important item to point out is that blogs, social networks, email, phone calls, and all other communication tools don’t live in a vacuum. They work together. A blog can be a very important tool in helping people to understand your firm, your culture, and the value you can deliver. However, the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and transparent. You can’t be one thing on your blog, another on LinkedIn, something entirely different in your print collateral, something even more different on the phone, and then something else in person. Chances are that if people don’t trust your blog, it has little or nothing to do with the blog itself. It has to do with your behavior not reflecting the story you tell on your blog.
People trust people.
People don’t trust company blogs. What you should do about it.
A Secret from an Old Man
December 3, 2008
I graduated college in 1985 equipped with a B.S. in Mathematics and an excellent work ethic. My first position was working for Ross Perot at EDS. I was 21 years old, dressed in a suit and slung COBOL code and stacks of punch cards. I was nervous and insecure. Here is what went through my mind:
In the morning I thought to myself; “Everyone else was smarter than me.” And “Everyone else is doing a better job than me.”
Around lunch time I dwelled upon thoughts like; “They like everyone else better then me.” And “I have to keep this job.”
On the drive home I would usually think; “I wonder what’s happening” And “I wonder who is out to get who and then of course when and how does that affect me.”
Of course I’d stay awake and think dreadful thoughts; “What would I do if I was let go” And “Where could I get a job fast, very fast.” The last thought of the evening was usually something like this…”Man, I gotta get a handle on this because these thoughts are killing me.”
When we are young there is a lot to learn. If only I knew then that I’d be in my career for 24.5 years and never miss a single paycheck or be without a job for even a day. Even more solid than that, I’ve never been without a career for a moment. Not that I knew then or even now what I’d like to do when I grow up, but my career found me. My skills and talents and experiences guided me naturally to what I was good at and what I liked. Sometimes I strayed a bit off course, but was always lead back to my calling.
Well, back to the late 1980’s and my insecure thoughts. It was then that I met a man in his 70s. He sold encyclopedias door to door. He was smooth and conversation flowed from him effortlessly. He was gentle and kind and my wife and I were enamored by his seemingly command of life. I bought (and still have) a set of those encyclopedias and we spent an evening with him and his wife. Of course we went to pick the books up and we stayed for 6 hours. He shared with me something that I will never forget and it changed my life. As a matter of fact, I share this nugget of wisdom from time to time when I see someone struggling with the same insecurity. You see, when he was 18 years old he broke 100k in commissions selling door to door and he never looked back. He told me about how he dresses in the morning to engage with people, how he gets their interest and holds their attention. How he genuinely cares for his ‘clients’ and how he wants to get them happily involved with his encyclopedias (not just sell them). He went on and on and we were riveted.
He asked about our plans and future, what we desired and worked for. We shared with him our dreams and our fears. I shared with him about my insecure thoughts and how most of the time I could handle them but at times I felt paralyzed by them. But it was what he said next that changed my life. It wasn’t anything magical or spiritual. It was simple. He said, “Well Scotty, you are only as secure as your ability to handle your insecurity. So, decide this minute that you are secure and there you go.”
You know, I didn’t like to feel insecure. It really played out in so many ways that was destructive; from caving in during negotiations, to acting subserviently, to holding back when you really could have done it, not taking risks, gossip and so forth. The simple truth is that we really are only as secure as our ability to handle our insecurity. Decide that you are secure. Be confident. Take risks, work hard and never give up. For me, this was a transforming time. This position change was noticeable. I went from leaning backwards to leaning forwards. When those feelings of insecurity raise their heads, just stare them down with guts and say to them that you have mastered the ability to be secure.
~ Scott Felten
Is Privacy an Anamoly? Collective Intelligence
December 1, 2008
The New York Times recently ran an excellent article by John Markoff about the changing concept of individual privacy in the digital age. The article discusses some of the implications associated with being increasingly connected. GPS enabled devices, online activity, social networks, credit card purchases, and other technologies can paint a vivid profile of an individual, which could be used by numerous sources for activites both good and bad.
How could such data be used for good? Suppose a company possessed information about where you are, what you are doing, and why; they could offer you real time incentives to purchase specific products. It would be analogous to virtual haggling to get consumers to behave a certain way. Need a pair of dress shoes? Are you at the mall? You wear a size 11 right? Well suppose a retailer within the mall knew you were there looking for a size 11 dress shoe, which they just so happen to have an abundance of in stock. They could text you a message stating that for the next 3 hours you could redeem the text on a new set of black loafers - size 11. Not only that, they also know that your spouse has a birthday coming up, and will offer you buy one get one 1/2 off to incent you to purchase more footwear. They know the correct size, and have the ability to make suggestions based on past purchases and the purchases of similar consumers.
Now suppose that this offer is passed up repeatedly by consumers within a period of time. Just like that, the deal could be modified until the desired consumer behavior occurs. Hyperefficient capitalism at its best.
How could such data be used for not so good? Well, that retailer or perhaps the credit card company, may note that you are buying special shoes designed for people with circulatory issues as well as special clothing to help improve circulation in extremities. They may also note that you are purchasing sugar free candy at the counter, and that you bought a sugar-free latte. Later, their video might capture footage of you sitting on a bench eating a cookie and drinking juice you bought in the store. Now suppose an insurance company is concerned about the cost of covering people with diabetes, and wanted to obtain data regarding consumers of specific items that those with diabetes might purchase. They could follow your activities thorough data purchased from the retailer and make judgements about your risk profile. This data could then be used to deny coverage to consumers. Hyperefficient capitalism at its worst.
Both of these scenarios are hypothetical in nature and admittedly oversimplified. One involves the use of data to help a consumer get something they desire. The other involves the use of similar data to deny a consumer from something they desire. Both involve the elimination of privacy as more and more data is collected about us - sometimes knowingly and sometimes not.
Still, it seems that people overall are not particularly concerned with the collection of personal data. The attitude toward the loss of privacy in exchange for convenience is overwhelmingly laissez faire. As Markoff ponders, in an age of Google, iphones, GPS, and Facebook, has privacy “become an anomaly?”
The question becomes what is your company doing with its data? For most, the reality of today is likely nothing, or at best very little. For all of the hype surrounding the potential use of data, much of this valuable information sits fallow within the servers, computers, and files of firms. The big ideas are out there, and now it is a question of who will capitalize on them - good, bad, or otherwise.
Is your company formally gathering, processing and utilizing data to influence consumer behavior? Could you? Are you adequately protecting the privacy of your Clients? Should you be? Are individuals within your firm potentially accessing sensitive information for their own interests? Is your competition doing a better job of mining the collective intelligence provided by data than you are?
The reality of today is that you have an amazing opportunity to impact the lives of those whom you serve through data. How you do so is largely up to you. For the record, I am a huge fan of size 10 Adidas Gazelles, and I would love a red pair. The next time I am near your store, text me and let me know if you have a great deal for me.
You’re Leaving a Digital Trail. What About Privacy? - NYTimes.com
Career Planning: 10 Things That Really Matter!
October 29, 2008
I have three daughters who are nearing the age when they will seek careers. This is a bit scary for me but that is fodder for another blog. Today, I want to share with you some of the advice that I give college aged kids who are thinking about the future. No matter who you are and no matter what you plan on doing, if you want to succeed, you must make sure that you follow these strategies!
1. Trajectory! It’s not about where you are, it’s about where you are heading! I remember when I was making next to nothing and wondering what was going to happen. I knew I was working hard and that I had the ‘never give up’ work ethic (together this is called momentum). I knew I was in a field that was growing. But, I really wanted to make enough to support my family. My wife and I talked about my career trajectory. I was tracking up! As long as I kept my path point up, it did not matter where I was today. The most important thing is to keep that long term focus and to keep your plans rising up. Time will take care of the rest. What affects trajectory…Aim and Momentum!
2. Look the part! If you look like a bum, you will get paid like a bum - and who can afford that type of income. Who is your boss’ boss and what do they look like? Find out and cloth yourself in their cloths. So, wear what your boss’ boss wears. Dress like the position you want to have in 3-5 years. 90% of people’s confidence in you is judged within 10 seconds of them meeting you.
3. Never, ever give up! There are times to change direction, but this is not the same thing as giving up. When faced with a challenge, take it and keep going - keep trying and persevere. When you see the really hard problems and others are running, volunteer! What can go wrong - if you make it happen, you are a hero. If you can’t, well no one else was able to either. Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration!
4. Learn baby learn! One time I walked into the office of a general for a project that I was on. We had a short (and focused) discussion. He wanted things done right. I was prepared because I bought a book on how to do it. In my honesty I told him that I was going to do it by the book. I meant literally, I was going through this book section by section and I was going to follow it. He took at as that phrase goes… “by the book”. His reply, yes, I want it done by the book. I didn’t correct him. When we stop learning, we stop earning.
5. Take responsibility! There are people who I depend on. These people say, “I’ve got it” or “I’ll get it done”. These are the people that I will turn to every time. When someone takes responsibility they look different than those who don’t. Responsible people take the initiative and remain focused on the task. They understand that it’s not about them, it’s about the team, the project, the task. People who don’t take responsibility walk that gray area in-between, they ride the fence, they leave themselves outs and look to blame early. They portray that it’s really about them. If you want to be responsible, then make a decision to do so - it’s really that easy.
6. You will never fail! Understand that there is no way that you can fail. People don’t understand what failure is any more. Failure is when you give up and according to number 3, that can’t happen to us! We will learn many many ways how things don’t work. Don’t confuse this with failure. Be like a stamp and stick to it! When you find how something doesn’t work, this is also called learning. But as long as you keep on trying (number 3) and keep learning these lessons (number 4) and take responsibility (number 5) while dressing the part (number 2) and knowing that it doesn’t matter so much where you are now (number 1), you cannot fail!
7. Be Humble! My kids play a lot of soccer and one day they asked me to play in an indoor league. Now it’s been a long time since I played and I was pretty out of shape and everyone else was better than I. Well, I told my kids that if I scored, I would simply jog back to my position and act like I’ve done this before. That game I scored two! And while I was really excited, I did what I said, I acted like this was expected. When we are humble and give credit to others, without saying it we communicate “Of course I was successful, that’s what I’m about”. But the magic is that when people see/say this about us, it’s true in their minds. But, when we have to tell them how great we are, they don’t believe us.
8. Act like everyone is watching, all the time! Our character is our sacred honor. It is the most expensive thing we have. If your actions depend upon who is watching, I guarantee that one day it will catch up with you and your character will be bankrupt. Don’t let this happen. From day one make an oath to yourself that you will always act in a manner that you would normally do when the big boss is around.
9. Let your yes be yes and your no be no! Politics is when you filter what you say so that you will influence your current audience. While it is ok to adapt your communication style and content to your audience to communicate different points, it is not ok to slant your motives to gain favor for one group at the expense of another. When people do this, it is poison and will kill the team and eventually your career. Are you the antidote or poison?
10. Rewards follow performance! I have seen many people’s career stall because they won’t move on something because it’s not their job or they don’t pay me to do that. I have actually had many people say they won’t go that extra mile because they are not getting paid for it. Well, until you understand that rewards follow performance, your prophecy will be self fulfilled. It takes performance and most times, continuous and consistent excellent performance to be rewarded. The person whose career excels is the person who makes high performance a standard.
Closing The Innovation Gap
October 12, 2008
I spent Saturday lunch at Via Vite on Fountain Square with a group of regional entrepreneurs in a forum where Judy Estrin discussed with us her book, Closing The Innovation Gap. Her’s is a seminal work discussing how our economic engine developed from innovation to the point where we measure progress with quarterly reporting and even more frequent guidance on the numbers. The unfortunate result is that room for true innovation in the corporate world no longer exists.
Judy’s premise of taking the long view is good. Still, I had difficulty digesting whether or not we, in an American business culture, could actually change our ways and allow an ecosystem of innovation to develop again. It took us 40 years to dismantle it. I can’t see us rebuilding it overnight. If we hope to continue to compete in the global economy, we’ll have to start.
Innovation matters. We can’t compete without it. Our corporate drive forward needs to find ways to incorporate ongoing change and innovation into our lives. Many times the foundations of these two ideas clash, and innovation is set aside due to the pressure for corporate profits now. Then it becomes clear that innovation doesn’t just happen. It can’t be mandated. It can’t be scheduled. Innovation requires the right environment.
After WWI, America’s business environment thrived on a foundation of research and innovation. In the ’70s companies stopped investing in research and focused on efficiency and production. There could be no room for surprises. Every input and output had to be measured. In the’80s and ’90s greed took over. And with the bursting of the internet bubble and 9/11 in 2001, business’ appetite for risk was undermined. So we find ourselves today in a business environment not conducive to innovation.
But it’s more than just the business “environment”. Estrin suggests that progress requires creating an ecosystem where innovation can thrive, an ecosystem where research communities, development communities, and application communities can find the right balance to sustain life. Balancing calls for leadership, funding, education, policy, and culture. Of these, leadership and culture are most important. The right leadership develops funding, education, and policy. The right culture allows for both top-down and bottom-up growth.
This ecosystem balances itself and thrives on the basis of 5 core values.
- Questioning - the ability to question from a perspective of curiosity, but moreso from a perspective of self-assessment. Be the critical optimist performing constant self-assessment in order to feed more data back into the process.
- Risk - the willingness to fail. Attitudes towards failure must change to support a culture of failing often and failing early. Embrace failure and allow the experiences to continue to funnel more data back into the process.
- Openness - Imagine together. Collaborate. Share the failures and their lessons. Continue to take in new data.
- Patience - For the researcher, patience is tenacity. For the business, patience is letting something develop rather than asking, “Is it done now? How about now? Okay, well when do you think?”
- And finally, Trust
Most companies construct disincentives to innovate all over the place. There is no room or time for questioning. You need to know up front whether or not an initiative will succeed. Failure is not a badge you wear on your chest, and the larger the failure the more quickly you’re shown the door. So why share the lessons? That only shines a brighter light on the problems and exposes your weaknesses. And because you have not only NOT added to the bottom line for this quarter, but you’ve taken from it, you can no longer be trusted.
Can we really deconstruct our disincentives? Can we develop an environment that allows profit and innovation to thrive together? Or are we past the point that we can fix it?
- Andy
PC?
September 22, 2008
Microsoft recently launched the second phase of it’s new “Windows Not Walls” ad campaign. The first phase, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates engaging in strange conversations, was wisely pulled from the air waves early. It was widely panned for its high price tag, being difficult to understand, and not mentioning a product. It did get people talking, but not really in the way one would hope spending 300 Million Dollars would.
Now, Phase 2 is much different, and in my opinion much more effective. These ads take the “I’m A PC” theme that Apple has so brilliantly created, and turn it upside down. They feature real people - some of them famous and some just regular folks - stating “I am a PC, and I _____” (fill in the blank with some trait or task associated with the speaker.)
I found the ads to be pretty engaging. I am a big believer in story telling as a vehicle for Marketing, and each speaker conveys a concise and unique story about themselves and their relationship to Microsoft. As a viewer, I was intrigued to see who was next and what they did? I was interested. The ad did a great job of making the point that Microsoft has relevance to real people doing real things. It was sort of the antithesis of the Seinfeld ads.
Another positive feature of the ads was the focus on the user. The ads don’t speak to features and functions, but rather to the real world applications and desired outcomes and of using technology. It is a shift in tone, and one that Microsoft should embrace wholeheartedly . This should go way beyond ads, and should be at the heart of every action the company takes. “How does this help make people’s lives better?” This should be the mantra that the firm embraces in all its decisions and actions.
It will be interesting to see if the story told in the ads matches the real world story that people experience with Microsoft. With competition coming from every angle, ads alone will not suffice. Still, the campaign is a step in the right direction.
For the record… I’m a Mac / PC / Ubuntu Linux Mutt who views the OS as increasingly irrelevant in a web based world - all good and well until a hurricane blows through Ohio, knocks out power, renders the web inaccessible, and makes television ads unavailable, at which time I am a human being.
What do you think of the new ads?
Loading ...Do You Need Another Browser?
September 1, 2008
Tomorrow, Google will launch its new web browser Chrome. Now, I can tell you that I will be downloading it as soon as I can, kicking the tires and driving it around the web - mostly out of curiosity. Although sadly, I will not be able to do so on my MacBook as it apparently will only work in Windows for now.
On the eve of its release, I sit here utilizing Firefox 3 to craft this post. As I do so, I am not consumed with some horrible browser problem for which I have a burning desire for Google to solve for me. Thus, I wonder if if large numbers of people will move to adopt this product. At this point it is hard to say.
In Google’s favor is the ability to leverage the Google homepage for marketing, ensuring that people will know about Chrome. Better still is the fact that the product is free, so it will be easy to try. From all accounts Chrome will also offer some unique features regarding stability, speed, efficiency, mobility, security, layout, the enhancement of web apps and the utilization of Google Gears. They even created a comic book to describe the product - a very different and exremely cool approach to a product launch.
Still, Google faces a huge challenge in that the browser market is currently served pretty well. Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari have been competing with one another for a long time in the browser world, and people generally have a favorite amongst the 3. So for Chrome to succeed, Google needs to create a sense of dissatisfaction with the current browsing experience and then convince people that Chrome somehow addresses this dissatisfaction. They need to provide people with a compelling reason to change.
While I can’t be certain as to the ultimate fate of Chrome, I do know this. A few years ago, I had a Hotmail account and a Yahoo Mail account. At that time, I did not have any problems with email. Then I was invited to try Gmail, and I have not used either since.
How about you? Do you plan on test driving Chrome?
Loading ...Official Google Blog: A fresh take on the browser
So What Is The Deal With The Beachball?
August 21, 2008
Today I read in the Wall Street Journal Online that Microsoft has hired Jerry Seinfeld to star in a series of advertisements for the firm. Seinfeld will reportedly be paid $10 million for the spots, which are part of a 300 million dollar campaign aspiring to reposition Microsoft as forward thinking, customer friendly, people savvy technology company. The campaign is being launched in large part as a response to the growing popularity of Apple and the increased adoption of open source operating systems like Ubuntu Linux.
While I think Seinfeld is hilarious, I question the wisdom of this decision. Certainly there are plenty of exceptionally bright people at Microsoft. I am quite sure they have good reason to believe that Jerry can help to change people’s perceptions of the company. I do believe that whatever he does will probably be entertaining. For $10 million it should be. The problem is that people don’t need Microsoft to entertain them, they need Microsoft to care about them - or at least appear to care.
Microsoft should have invested that 300 million in making their products more reliable and useful, and in offering unparalleled service to its customers. With the resources at its disposal, surely the company could offer support services so remarkable that no one in the world could compete with them. “Vista not working right? - We’re on it.” “Spreadsheet locked up? - No worries because you are with Microsoft.” “Need help with that flyer? - we’ll create a portal for you and walk you through it.” “We are Microsoft.” “We are here to help you do more.” “We know that you have choices when it comes to software, and we want you to choose us.” “That is why we work to earn your trust and keep your business.” Can you imagine the buzz this would generate? It would be huge.
Microsoft could create a community of users supporting one another and leveraging technology to do it. They could tap into the collective wisdom of the crowd to make improvements and to drive innovation. They could build loyalty and trust. They could exploit the weakness of other providers which is the perception of risk by removing risk from their own products. If Microsoft was the safe, secure, trusted choice in the mind of the consumer, then the consumer would be willing to pay a premium.
They could have stores, mobile help, seminars, online support, help lines, surveys, blogs, and more… instead they will have very funny commercials.
Apple has had success because of innovative products, beautiful design, and smart campaigns geared to exploit the perceived weaknesses of Microsoft. It is not that Apple is without flaw. They have a very closed system. They don’t always play nice with consumers. They are expensive. Recently they have had some high profile mistakes with the iPhone and Me.com. They are not perfect, but they are smart.
It is my opinion that the smart thing for Microsoft to do would be to invest in the consumer and not the endorsement of a celebrity - even if it is Seinfeld. Maybe they will get Lloyd Braun to sell some software from Mr. Costanza’s garage. SERENITY NOW!
What do you think? Is hiring Seinfeld a brilliant idea or big waste of time?
Loading ...RYZing Trend
August 21, 2008
When I was in grade school, I used to spend a lot of time drawing pictures. I would draw my name in various font styles. I would draw airplanes ( usually F-16’s) streaking across the sky. I would draw bugs and trees, people and monsters, mountains and rivers… and shoes.
I remember being in 1st grade trying to draw a picture of my John McEnroe style NIke’s, sometimes altering the color of the swoosh - which we could only get in red and light blue back in those days. I later gravitated toward doodling Adidas logos in differing color schemes. Then came Air Jordan’s, which I must have drawn and redrawn 1,000 times - usually in Carolina blue and white. I remember imaging how great it would be if I could just make my own shoes. Surely they would have been sweet kicks. I would have made a million dollars, bought an island, opened a skate park, hung out with Dan Marino and had my own show with Alyssa Milano. Alas, no such luck…
However there may be hope for the doodling, daydreaming, youth of today…
NPR featured a great story this morning about Oregon based shoe manufacturer RYZ. Similar to the T-Shirt company Threadless, RYZ relies on “the crowd” to design its shoes. No big marketing department. No R&D. No long design cycles. No focus groups. No big advertising budget. Oh… and none of the overhead that comes along with those things.
Nope, instead of all that, the company relies on the community of visitors to its site to create its products and then to vote on which designs should be produced. The winning designer receives $1,000 and a 1% royalty based on sales - a fraction of what it would typically cost to design and produce a pair of shoes. Better still, the process - which would take up to 12 months in a traditional shoe company - is as short as 6 weeks.
RYZ is succeeding by using technology to involve consumers in the process - an important trend for all businesses to embrace. The company is successfully leveraging the internet to generate interest in its products, engage consumers in the the design process, and tap into the collective wisdom of the crowd to pick the right products to produce.
More and more businesses are utilizing community based design as a strategy for success. Because of the global reach of the web, innovation can now be driven in large part by the user community. Consumers want to be in control. They want to be engaged, and they want companies to listen to them. Technology makes this all possible.
As this trend begins to permeate into other segments of the economy, this will create new and exciting opportunites for collaboration between companies and clients. From what is on television, to what is in the grocery store, to which concerts come to your city, to what your kids get for Christmas. The world is more and more about the wants and needs of the consumer.
Do you think your business is just too complicated to embrace this model? Think again. In a global economy with seemingly infinite options, engaging the consumer is no longer an afterthougth. Rather it will become the central thought for business success.
How could you begin to tap into the collective wisdom of your clients and that of the world to transform your business?
Crowd Sourcing Turns Business On Its Head : NPR
My 9 secrets of successful leadership
August 12, 2008
I have lead many teams over the years and have had a good measure of success. Early on in life I have found what I consider is the key to leadership. According to Ayn Rand’s “The Virtue of Selfishness”, she asserts that being selfish is a real virtue (thus the fancy title)…that everyone acts in their own, best self interest. While her conclusions from there are suspect to me, I do see some value in what she is stating.
If I apply this principle to the problems I see with many leaders today, I would have to say that they are very short sighted. A leader must realize that it’s not about them. Really, please get over yourself. It’s about the team, it’s about the client and it’s about providing value. A position of leadership is as glorious as a position of a servant. All the glory should be focused on the team and not the leader. The leader accesses the landscape, navigates through the murky waters of business while identifying and removing obstacles. If you want to be selfish, then do so through your team’s development and success.
My 9 secrets of successful leadership. (Hint: Number 9 is the most important)
- 1. It’s not about me; understand from the beginning that it’s about the team, the client and the value that the team delivers to the client.
- 2. Maintain the highest degree of character; determine principles and do as you say.
- 3. Spark the team to gain momentum; be the visionary, create excitement, paint the picture of success.
- 4. Identify obstacles to progress; what’s real, what’s big, what’s critical.
- 5. Determine impact of obstacles on providing value; phase it in or phase it out then manage expectations.
- 6. Serve as the rudder to adjust course; the littlest part of the ship controls the direction of the ship and the leader is no different.
- 7. Eliminate obstacles; go over, under, around or through them, if necessary blow them up, either way they need to be removed.
- 8. Promote the team; appreciate and acknowledge contributions, direct praise back to the team, provide insulation from noise and politics, ensure avenues of growth and development for everyone.
- 9. Loop back through and start at point number 1
If you are not taking the arrows, then you are not leading! Get out there in front, take all the crap and give all the glory to the team!
~ Scott Felten
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