Chris Gratigny

This week there's been a common theme that has come up that has intrigued me. It's the difference between communicating "done" and "draft". When work is sent to me on a project that I'm responsible for, I have completely different feedback if I think you're "done" vs it's a "draft" you're showing me.

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We've been watching American Idol this season - every year people go onto the show, think they are an amazing singer, then they sing. If I was go to onto American Idol and get laughed at, I'd be fine. I know that I'm not a singer. I have no aspiration to be an amazing star.

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I've noticed that often people will say something like "I'd like to meet with you about X". Unfortunately, if will often not happen. When you are requesting a meeting, or responding to a meeting request, there are a few things to be sure to do to make sure it happens.

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Thanks." says Bob. He takes a quick look at it and says, "Good work, this is just what I asked for." He looks at it a little more and says, "I have some updates I'd like you to make to this, I received new information thought of these updates since I last talked to you.  They are _______. Can you work on these new things and get it back to me tomorrow by 10AM?

"I don't like using pen and paper. I'd rather type. I take my laptop everywhere with me. I can take notes with my laptop wherever I go. It's so much more convenient." That is true, but there is a time when you should use your laptop, and times that good old fashioned pen and paper actually do the trick. I used to think that writing everything on my laptop was the way to go, but I've found that laptops can really affect your ability to pay attention to the human in front of you.

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"I'm not a finisher.  Starting things is easy for me, but finishing them is so hard!  Other people are so much better at finishing them."

Sound familiar?  I bet this is true for almost everyone.  There are a few people out there who naturally finish things, but I think those people are in the minority.  I personally find it difficult to finish things, but I've found a way to motivate myself.

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Stressed Requester: "I want that done" You: "When?" Stressed Requester: "A.S.A.P." You: "Okay, no problem.  As soon as possible would be a month from now.  Without breaking any prior commitments, we can get it out in a month! How does that sound?"

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Ambition can be a wonderful thing, but it can be one of the most detrimental motivators in your life.  When you are motivated by ambition, you may be prone to walk all over other people.  Ambition isn't always bad though, it can motivate you to push forward.  To make good long term decisions in your life.  But, you have to be careful with your ambition.

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Have you ever attended a planning meeting, and when the meeting is over you leave feeling great about the meeting.  The meeting went well, and as a group you chose what action to take.  You walked out, happy, thinking "we're going to get a lot done!".  A few days later, you look back at the meeting and start to wonder who is going to do what... and when.  You remember that the meeting was good, but you can't seem to remember what you were supposed to do.  Well then great!  You didn't have any tasks or responsibilities assigned to you.  

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You're a manager, and lets say you have 5 directs.  Out of those five directs you have one that is amazing, does just what you expect them to do.   You also have one that never does anything right, you can't trust them.  As a result, you delegate less to that direct you can't trust, and give your boss negative feedback on that individual.

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