Feeling like an impostor?
Mike Julian and Adam Grant seem to have opposite takes re: impostor syndrome. Mike’s take: I think the tech industry has many failings and shortcomings, but one that’s been annoying me lately is the pervasive belief that everyone has impostor syndrome.There are people that worked their asses off to become great and they know it. We shouldn’t be minimizing that. And the other take, from Adam: The only people who never feel like impostors are narcissists.Being 100% sure of yourself at all times…
“Work like a founder”
This one is if you’re working for somebody —or if you have people working for you. 🙂 “Work like a founder” That’s lame advice. Unless this founder is sharing the same level of rewards with you, it’s nonsense. Unless you’re sharing the same level of risk with them, it’s nonsense. This is not a call for mediocrity. It’s a call out to bullshit advice where power dynamics are unequal —and it’s absolutely fine that they are. Just people can’t use it as leverage to get “more work” in exchange for…
Fill in the blank. By Tanya Moushi.
Today, this is brought to you by daily emailer and amazing writer Tanya Moushi. She’s got it right. Fill in the blank I feel excellent about myself when I ______________. I feel like shit every time I ______________. I’m ready to finally let go of _______________. I’m going to finally explore _______________. I’m extra grateful for ____________. This one is so full of gold and self-reflection. Perfect for preparing yourself for the next year.
Unreadiness
You won’t ever be truly ready for things to happen. There will always be something in the way, something you’d love to know a bit more of, something you won’t completely know or any (or some) level of risk, Yet, you have to act. And own it. Especially when you’re scared AF. It’s taking that responsibility, being “accountable” and brave to make —at times— bold decisions, knowing what’s at stake and yet moving forward because it’s all about that bigger, larger thing than just you. And when you…
The less you know…
The more knowledge and more imagination, more originality. How do you get to know more? By knowing less. And then diving deeper. Deepening your expertise. Specializing. Seeing the patterns. With that, you know “What is” and all you have to do after that is ask yourself “What could be?” Start with this: what if?
What if
Asking this is to exercise constraints. Unlike what many people think —that to be creative, you need to have freedom— when you’re restrained is when you get to be more creative. Asking “What if” helps in thinking broadly. And that’s the first step. After that, saying “But this is all I have” will set you in a game of constraints. Where you get to push yourself on how to do things different. And depending on how these things get to be different, your approach will be more or less creative.
It won’t fly
That’s the answer to a different approach on sales presented on a project. The founder just said “That won’t fly”. When asked about why, the reply went as “that’s not how things usually happen in Germany”. – Have you tried it before? – No. – So, how do you know it won’t fly? – Because… that’s the way it is. Leaving some room to regroup, the next question was: – “What if you try with a small quantity, in very specific samples? Would that work for you?” – Ok… Sure, /that/ we could try….
Going in first: the worst thing you can do.
There’s this common belief that in any negotiation (especially a compensation negotiation), the worst thing you can do is go first. Because “you’re giving your counterpart the information they need to get a better deal” —consciously or unconsciously. That’s nonsense. Re-read out-loud this last part: Give. Your counterpart. The Information. They Need. To get a better deal. Unless you see working with clients (or for this matter, anyone) as a “you lose, I win” war, wouldn’t you want the best…
Going in first —a better way.
So, while going going second might be true sometimes, it’s also true that going first (properly) sets the dynamics in the negotiation. And you want to set the table properly. You want to help your client (and prospect) make a well-informed decision. You want both parties be on the same side. To thrive together, or thrive on your own separate ways —which is also fine. You want to not reek of desperation. You want to know if it’s worth moving on. If it’s worth working together. If it’s worth…
The same results
What do you find that gets your business stuck? (Yes, I’d love a reply if you feel like it and see if I could help you or connect you with someone who could) Now, look ahead 3 years from now and we’re having coffee. You’ve achieved your goals and feel things are moving forward. What has happened that got you here? Now, come back to the present and ask yourself, are you doing the same things you’ve been doing —while expecting different results? What’s making you stop from a different way?
