I want to work with people who flag problems and then offer up solutions. Whistle blowers, tattletale, and rumormongers are a dime a dozen. If you took one-tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you'd be surprised by how well things can work out… Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we … [Read more...]
Collaboration
In any organization, including people in important decisions is of paramount importance. It makes them feel heard and, subsequently, confident in their positions. We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out. -Franklin D. Roosevelt A few years back, I was involved in a startup company called egraphs. Our … [Read more...]
Pushing Boundaries
We are not defined by our job descriptions. Whether you’re a CEO or an intern on your first day of the job, society’s boundaries are negotiable. In baseball, we have a saying. "You don't have enough dirt in your spikes." This statement is absurd. It’s used to suggest, because you’re a rookie, you’re incapable of contributing beyond your experience level. This mindset is … [Read more...]
Sharpen Yourself Through Debate
"Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.” -Mahatma Ghandi If you want to make improved decisions and elevate your critical thinking skills, do not avoid confrontational conversations. In fact, you should embrace the challenge and seek out debate. Your mind will grow stronger. From ideate.org: "The process of debate offers profound and lasting benefits for … [Read more...]
Moving Away From Rules
Making rules doesn’t encourage people to follow them. In many cases, setting policies undermines our ability to make decisions and robs us of our ability to think critically. From inc.com: What we now know from over a hundred years of studying organizations, is that rules follow the law of diminishing returns: The more rules you impose, the less likely it is that anyone will … [Read more...]