“…And What Else?” August 2022 newsletter

“...And What Else?”

Newsletter and Thought Starter

August 2022

Success begins by asking the right questions. So why not a newsletter that asks a powerful question: “…and what else?”

Hope these insights pierce through the clutter and create a moment to reflect on your purpose.

First Thoughts

An Agreement on Success—Sort of

Rob’s roommate Austin said he likes things clean. Great. So does Rob. They both agreed that a clean bathroom is a priority and were pleased that this would not create conflict, as it does for many new roommates. Both agreed: there’s nothing worse than a slob roommate.

Then one day as Rob exited the newly cleaned bathroom, Austin walked by and exclaimed, “I just cleaned that!” pointing to the spotless bathroom, glimmering from the scrubbing bubble treatment.

Rob looked at Austin, looked at the sparkling bathroom, and incredulously asked, “Where?”

Austin pointed to the trash basket that contained the tissue Rob just tossed in.

“I just emptied that!” Austin shouted.

Measures of success really do work. When there is clarity of what “success” really means.

Thinking Out Loud Blog

Find the Key, Not the Hammer

(from the archives)

It often seems easier to simply focus just on results—particularly in today’s goal-oriented culture. The means justify the ends. Except when people are involved. Which is pretty much always. Breaking open the box may cause costly repairs. Or could ruin the box (team, customer, peer…) beyond repair.

Hmm. Maybe NOT the result desired. At least not the long-term result desired. So what is a better approach to the hammer?

The Accountability Community

Let’s achieve growth together!

The Accountability Community is group-oriented sessions that gather like-minded individuals who are eager to grow themselves and willing to support each other. These brief, targeted, but valuable sessions allow you to share your goals and create accountability in a supportive and trusting environment.

The Accountability Community features:

Regularly scheduled virtual sessions with like-minded, development-focused individuals.
Structured time to share progress and seek feedback.
An accountability agreement format designed to support your success.

Intrigued? Join our list HERE to learn more about these upcoming sessions.

Let’s Achieve our Goals Together!

The Forty-Two Challenge

Question #35: What strength do you overuse?

The Challenge: You know that thing you’re really good at? That approach that creates success for you? Sometimes it’s not what’s needed. Take a moment when you’re wielding your usual approach and ask yourself, “Is this what is needed right now?” It might not be.

Share your reflections on your favorite social channel. #FortyTwoQuestions

Worth Reading

The Heart of Business: by Hubert Joly

Another business book by a retired CEO. Ugh. Yet, it got my attention with this: “Corporations are not soulless entities, but human organizations with people at their center, working together in support of that purpose.” You had me at “purpose.”

The book makes an impassioned plea for organizations to pursue a noble purpose, which is defined as “the positive impact it is seeking to make on people's lives and by extension its contribution to the common good.”

Thought Starter: Considering profit as the sole purpose of an organization is wrong because 1) Profit is not a good measure of economic performance 2) An exclusive focus is dangerous 3) This singular focus antagonizes customers and employees 4) It is not good for the soul. So…What is good for your organization’s soul?

Looking for more great reads? Check out these purposeful resources.

Worth Watching

Confessions of a Recovering Micromanager, Chieh Huang

Here is a definition of micromanagement: bringing great people into your organization and then crushing their souls by telling them what font size to use. Chieh Huang, CEO of Boxed, says in this TED talk that you don’t want to hire dull and unimaginative people (at least the data suggests 94% of you don’t) so don’t treat them that way. His underlying message: trust—the one solution to micromanagement.

Thought Starter: How does your organization communicate what outcomes are required—not the finite process—while allowing people autonomy and space for creativity?

Final Thoughts

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."

- Jane Goodall

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