I recently had chats with a bunch of founders of early-stage startups, and they all happened to ask me the same question: What problems do I repeatedly see in my work with startups their size? While I listed a handful, I thought that hyper-paralysis is an interesting one to delve into. It sounds like an […]
My previous | articles touched on the subject of cultivating a better communication culture in your organization. As part of that, I mentioned shibboleths as an agreed-upon way to fast-track certain scenarios. Given that I got a few questions about this, let’s consider some examples. Hint, you’ve probably just seen one in use recently when […]
Don’t you hate it when you say something and the other party doesn’t answer? You’re left wondering if they didn’t hear you well and repeat the request, wait in silence, or just give up. Oh, I’m not talking about choppy Zoom calls. This is just how badly too many leaders seem to be communicating nowadays. […]
Some of the most precious moments in our work are those we spend communicating with others in meetings. They’ve become even more valuable, given the increased rarity in the hybrid/remote age. That’s why it’s mind-boggling to watch how many teams have a conversation culture that essentially wastes these moments with lots of fluff and a […]
Things always operate in trends, and if my clients are any indication, it seems like “guilds” are back in vogue. Nevertheless, many teams waste countless hours on guilds that provide little value or even turn out to be detrimental. Therefore, one has to be mindful of the common pitfalls and best practices for setting up […]
Anxiety, like an uninvited guest, often overstays its welcome in the minds of leaders. It whispers in our ears everything that could go wrong. Some executives go through years bracing for an incoming storm, even when the skies are clear. When anxiety becomes your default viewpoint, it’s like trying to lead while carrying a weight […]
In the high-speed tech world, hiring senior talent often feels like trying to assemble a puzzle while riding a horse-drawn carriage on cobblestones. We tend to focus on the familiar pieces – experience, technical acumen, and perhaps even charisma. Yet, as our industry continually reshapes itself in response to new trends, regulations, and societal shifts, […]
We’ve all heard about the “rollercoaster” of startups, and it seems like these rides were upgraded to be a bit more… loopy in the past couple of years. For some leaders, this is a constant point of worry and discomfort with their teams. How much should they say? How direct should they be? But what […]
Too many years ago, I used to get a real laugh out of watching Mad TV’s “lowered expectations.” And while it’s funny, I don’t agree the same attitude should be used in our work as leaders. After all, we’re supposed to be sources of positivity and optimism, not the “downers.” Nevertheless, I repeatedly see in […]
You know the old adage, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link?” When it comes to leaders who think they are great communicators, a similar rule applies: Your communication is only as good as the worst bit of feedback you’re currently keeping to yourself. It sometimes surprises me how some people can barely speak […]