💬 Quotes
“Poor people do the wrong things, rich people do the right things, wealthy people own the right things” - anonymous
"Hatred paralyses life; love releases it."- Martin Luther King Jr.
“People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies.” – Blair Warren’s One Sentence Persuasion Course
❓Did You Know?
🗣️ Buzzwords
Zoomies - frenetic random activity periods, normally by dogs, but could be any animal (or person).
FRAP(= frenetic random activity periods) - see above
🏆 What a Great Idea
In 2018, Domino’s launched its “Paving For Pizza” where Domino’s budgeted $100K to fix potholes in cities… for free.
To kick the campaign off, the CEO of Domino’s recorded what happens to a pizza delivery when a city has too many potholes.
Then, he announced that Domino’s would fix the potholes in cities with the most nominations.
Just one week after the campaign started, Domino’s had over 35K social media mentions and was featured on 37+ local and national news channels.
Everyone hates potholes, and Domino’s was willing to fix it when no one else would… for free.
Win/Win
💡Opinion
The Art of "Leaning In" to Improve Team Performance
Are you grappling with an underperforming team member? Don't despair; there's a proven strategy that can help you turn things around. It's called "leaning in." Now, before you equate this with Sheryl Sandberg's concept, allow us to introduce a different perspective. When we say "lean in," we mean something entirely distinct.
To "lean in" in this context means getting very close to the problem area at hand. It's about understanding the intricacies of the issue, and it's a method that can make a world of difference in team performance. So, what does "leaning in" entail, and how can you apply it to your specific situation?
1. Close Proximity and Engagement: The first step in "leaning in" is to get close to the problem area. Dive headfirst into the issue and immerse yourself in it. Ask questions, and, most importantly, engage with the team member who's underperforming. This isn't about micromanaging; it's about genuine involvement and support.
2. Thorough Understanding: "Leaning in" goes hand in hand with understanding. You must thoroughly grasp the intricacies of the problem or process that's causing the underperformance. This often involves meeting with the workers responsible for executing the process, observing their actions, and gaining insights into how it all works.
3. Commitment to Improvement: "Leaning in" doesn't mean a fleeting interest. It means dedicating your time and energy to the issue until it improves. Monitor progress closely, provide guidance and resources, and offer support as needed. Sometimes, all it takes is a little extra attention and mentorship to help a team member get back on track.
4. The Art of Prioritisation: Of course, you can't "lean in" to every issue within your team. Prioritisation is key. Focus your attention where it matters most—where a process isn't working, a team member is struggling, or results are lacking, and the negative impact is significant.
5. Identifying the Hotspot: To effectively "lean in," identify the hotspot of the problem. Sit down with the issue, examine it, and work closely to understand every detail. It's akin to conducting an inspection that reveals hidden flaws and opportunities for improvement.
In practice, "leaning in" can uncover underlying issues you may not have initially identified. What you thought was the problem may turn out to be something else entirely. By investing time, effort, and a hands-on approach, you can discover new insights and find more effective solutions.
"Leaning in" isn't just a catchphrase; it's an actionable strategy to address underperformance within your team. By getting intimately involved in the problem areas, understanding the nuances, and committing to improvement, you can help your team members reach their full potential. So, when you encounter a challenge, don't shy away—lean in and watch the positive impact it can have on your team's performance.
👨💼 Workplace Challenges
#1 The Overwhelming Workload: Juggling multiple tasks, projects, and deadlines can lead to stress and decreased productivity.
Here’s what to do:
Prioritise tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix.
Delegate when possible.
Set realistic expectations with your team lead.
📖 Reads (or Views)
5 ways to get people to buy into your idea at work
The Introvert’s Guide to Extroversion
🔣 One Stat
65 billion messages are exchanged on Whatsapp daily.
⌛ Time Wasters
Teamwork
Hula-hooping like a pro
🐔 Chicken Soup for the Office
Tobi Lütke (the founder of Shopify) has this fantastic metaphor of a Trust Battery. He applies it to members of a team.
We understand batteries – they're a power source. Functional batteries can be used to generate action.
Now, imagine that every individual in the team has an internal "trust battery" that either fills or depletes based on their interactions with you. When you fulfil a promise, the battery fills. When you give to your teammates without expectation, the battery fills.
When you break their trust, have a negative interaction, or get pushy when asking for a sale, you drain that battery.
The more someone's trust battery is charged, the more likely they will act quickly without much need of convincing. This is why some people will help you just because they know and trust you.