Don′t be afraid of being you!
Andreas von der Heydt
Member of the Executive Board - International Business and Online
This article of our very popular "Rethink for Success“ series will be the final part.
I′m sorry. Sorry, because it was refreshing and exciting to write it, having read the book on which it′s based upon, and most importantly, having received several hundreds of comments on the various articles in total (read all articles of the series here on LInkedin or at https://www.consumergoodsclub.com).
Today we will also reveal the book′s title for the very first time (some of you might have guessed it already…). We have not done it beforehand, since together with you we did not want to be distracted by names and titles. We wanted to jointly focus on its unique contents.
Let′s move on to the final chapter of our series:
IN MY LAST ARTICLE I PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING IDEAS & ADVICES
(1) Interruption is the Enemy of Productivity
Interruptions break your workday into a series of work moments. You can′t get meaningful things done when you′re constantly going start, stop, start, stop. Advice: Your day is under siege by interruptions. It′s on you to fight back and create and protect your alone zone. Try to get into the alone zone instead. Getting into that zone takes time and requires avoiding interruptions like instant messaging, phone calls, e-mail, and meetings. Just shup up and get to work.
(2) The worst Interruptions of all are Meetings
Often they are not well-planned, not well-conducted, not followed up and as a consequence not productive and effective. Also, they′re bloody expensive. Advice: 1) Try avoiding having meetings, if possible. 2) you really can′t avoid having one, then stick to simple rules: set a timer, invite as few people as possible (weak managers would do the contrary), have a clear agenda, start with the objective/issue/problem, discuss real things and real solutions, end with a solution, define precise next steps, allocate responsibilities, implement ASAP, follow up.
TIME TO MOVE ON WITH TODAY’S FINAL THOUGHTS & TIPS
Take a deep Breath
When you rock the boat, there will be waves. After you introduce a new feature, policy, or remove something, knee-jerk reactions will pour in. That′s normal. Resist the urge to panic or to make rapid changes in response. Ride out the first rocky week, and things will usually settle down. Let people complain for a while. At the same time, let them know you are listening: Show them you′re aware of what they′re saying. Let them know you understand their discontent. But explain that you′re going to let it go for a while and see what happens. You′ll probably find out that people adjust eventually.
Finally: Sometimes you need to go ahead with a decision you believe in, even if it′s unpopular at first.
Sound like you
What is it with business people trying to sound big? The stiff language, the formal announcements, the artificial friendliness, etc. These managers and companies talk at you, not to you. This mask of professionalism is a joke. We all know this. Yet small companies still try to emulate it. They think sounding big makes them appear bigger and more “professional.” But it really just makes them sound ridiculous. There′s nothing wrong with sounding your own size. Don′t be afraid of being you. Talk to customers the way you would talk to friends. Explain things as if you were sitting next to them. Avoid jargon or any sort of corporate-speak. Forget rules. Communicate!
And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, finally the moment has come to reveal the title of this great book on which our series is based which we have read and reviewed for and with you:"REWORK," written by the splendid Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.
You do not want to miss reading this excellent piece of management and life leadership guidance by yourself. Read all of its brilliant pages and chapters. Hoep you′re also satisfied with our 12 summary articles!
Thanks for all your valuable and insightful comments over the last few months. Very much appreciated!
Of course, please feel free to comment also this final part of our series.
Best regards,
Andreas von der Heydt
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Like the article - good tips. I particularly like the "Sounds like you" part. I feel it is imperative to be yourself. Each of us are unique individuals and its a dis-service to others if we try to be something were not! Others loose the true benefit of knowing the "Real You".
Sr Management Assistant at BILT
11 年hi i like this
Senior Specialist, Occupational Safety and Health Complaint Mechanism at RMG Sustainability Council (RSC)
11 年Liked the point "Interruption is the Enemy of Productivity" as it goes with me sometimes.Trying hard to create my protective alone zone. Also agree with "Sound like You"....appreciate the proper wording "the artificial friendliness."
Recruiting
11 年Liked the point - "Sound like you" and especially the term "the artificial friendliness." Very true in the corporate culture. And "the artificial friendliness" is even spreading on to the smaller companies/startups. The genuineness and authenticity of an individual has taken a back seat to climb the corporate ladder. The "Corporate You" takes over the "real you" as it becomes a habit when people spend most of their time at office. It aint an easy proposition to uphold. Yet, I vouch for authencity and BEING YOU, at least, "Sound Like you."