Leading is language
Not only whether you say please or not. It’s about how you frame (and reframe) the situations, the context, problems and even solutions. [Framing and reframing —NOT gaslighting.] It’s about the lens you have to see things. About the words you use not to drive a decision in X or Y direction. Here’s a little thing I learned: Instead of asking “Are you sure?” to know whether the others are feeling confident or not on what they think/consider, ask “How sure are you?” This question will bring a…
Leading is not empowering
You don’t empower people: employees, customers, trainees, interns… To empower them implies you can dis-empower them. That you can take any power, agency or determination they have from them. And that’s not in your control —at all. What you can do is help them feel empowered. You can foster their sense of agency, responsibility, decision-making, and more. Empowerment comes from within. Like an elephant that doesn’t move from the ridiculous small chain because they were taught they didn’t…
A choice to make. Following. Or leading.
Friend-of-the list and data science expert, Genevieve Hayes, got back to yesterday’s message with this old Dilbert comic: Leadership is a choice —and a hard one to take because it comes with responsibility for others, taking the time and effort to transfer those skills and learnings to others. You want to be surrounded by A-players. The best way is to help them get A, and even better. But that won’t happen if you treat them as followers.
Being a follower
“You’re a follower.” Doesn’t sound quite “empowering”, right? So, why would you want to have followers?
What’s wrong with your business?
Maybe nothing. I mean it. Maybe nothing at all. Ponder this question, though: What is the center for my business and how does it show? What’s it all about?
What’s wrong with business?
So, the way music is framed is about art, enjoy, amusement, etc. And the way business is framed: profit product growth brand etc. The thing is, none of those are about the customer. Your customers don’t buy because of what your product, your biz or you do (or even why you do it, depending of the need). They buy from you because you solve something for them. And they don’t care how. If they could achieve that very same thing with a AAA battery, a 5-minute writing process, or a complex…
Accountability
If leadership is not 100% accountable, it’s not leadership. It can be anything else but. It takes you to own the flaws, mistakes, failures and successes. Not only to yourself though, but with the people you work with (employees, partners, customers, etc.). “Leadership is about how to create more leaders; not attract more followers.” —David Marquet.
What’s wrong with me?
Sorry, everybody. Third is a charm: https://www.tiktok.com/@oneminutebass/video/7298332506716146977?is_from_webapp=1&web_id=7327430302627677728
A little snafu
On yday’s message the link in “Music is ____” was hidden and not clear (but clever(?)) So here it is to have more context, and clear up the message. 🙂 Now you can click in the picture and you’ll follow the link. 🙂
Music and business
Can we think of business as music? Here’s what I mean: “Fill in the blank. Music is ______.” Now your turn. Business is ______.