THE LEAFLET
October 12 2023
call your shot, re-hire your people, a coach’s four favorite words
CALL YOUR SHOT
Don’t rely on reverse psychology, or people “getting the hint,” or the loose belief that “we’re all good people here,” as proxies for clarity. When you do that, you’re putting uncertain, unnecessary emotional labor on your people. They should use that effort on something harder and higher stakes for your mission. Don’t make folks read between the lines.
A few regular places to “call your shot” instead:
Instead of withholding praise, deliver it and explain why.
“This thing that Jerome did is great! Nice job Jerome! I’m pointing it out because I want Jerome to feel good and because I want the rest of you to do this too - when you do, we hit our goal.”
Instead of continuing team rituals because “it’s what we always do,” return to and restate the purpose of them.
Advanced players of this game prompt others on the team to do this. “Hey Nadira - remind us why we do this thing? What’s the point of it again?”
Every time you think, “I hope the team / this person doesn’t interpret x the wrong way.”
Sure, if you call your shot, anxious or insecure folks may still infer an ulterior motive. But everyone else now has an easier story to believe and build on - you’ve given them the explanation for what’s happening. Over reps and risks run, if calling your shot is your habit, even your anxious people will see that you’re good for your word.
Read the rest here.
RE-HIRE YOUR PEOPLE
It’s easy to live by averaging today against the days in recent memory. You lose initiative and fall prey to inertia. Cognitive biases like the anchoring effect trick you out of the hustle and optimism that carried you on day one. Incremental gains and losses don’t inspire you because they don’t fit into a story of what this day is for and why it matters.
The re-hiring conversation can interrupt this inertia and set you up to attack the work ahead with new zest and creativity.
Read the rest here.
A COACH’S FOUR FAVORITE WORDS
The most effective development of your people occurs not in meetings or trainings, but in response to their questions and needs. When someone comes to you with something they’re not sure how to handle, don’t miss this golden growth opportunity by doing something easy and self-aggrandizing, like giving them an answer.
Instead, train yourself first to ask, “What do you think you should do?”
Read the rest here.
Keep going, keep growing,
Ben and Eric