short-term – From the desk of Adam Thomas

I’ve been going to the gym for almost a year now.

One of the things I’ve noticed with going to the gym regularly is how ego can affect my long-term plan. Ego screams for short-term benefits without considering the greater good, and we end up suffering.

Weights are an example. I can look impressive by stacking a ton of weight on a barbell and lifting it. My ego feels great. People see how strong I am and I may even beat a personal record.

Great. Except without proper preparation, I increase the risk of injury and increase my recovery time. I look good short-term publically, suffer long-term privately.

Our work tends to go the same way. Doing an all-nighter, making everyone happy, or any other ego driving activity makes you feel good short-term publicly, but long-term you end up burning yourself out in private.

Don’t sacrifice your mission for short-term success, even if it feels right at the moment. Maybe, especially if it feels right at the moment.

It is simple

There is a simple, 2-minute idea that can improve your team’s completion percentage and improve relations between one who assigns and the assignee.

What is it?

First, let me give you a look into an experience I am sure we’ve all had:

Person 1 gives person 2 a task. Then, person 2 accepts the job. Person 1 marks a date on the calendar when it’s due. Afterwards, person 2 just works in her corner of the office. Person 1 adds another thing and another thing to person 2’s workload. Person 2 misses the date.

As a result, both end up resentful.

Does this sound familiar? I’ve been both person 1 and 2. Both are frustrating positions.

The problem isn’t competency or skill. The issue is communication.

How do you fix it? You check in with the other person.

Take a look at the exercise below for a sample “check-in” email that helps both sides of the equation.

Exercise:

Write a “check-in” email about a project or task.

As Person 1:

Hey,

How is [job name] coming along?

My understanding about the project is you are: [Where you think person two is]

Is there anything I can do to help? [List potential problems/roadblocks]

This job is a [priority level] because [why is it important to the strategy]

As Person 2:

Hey,

I am checking in about [task name here]

Here is where I am: [Small status report here]

I may have trouble with this: [Potential problems and roadblocks in the short-term]

My priorities, in order: [Job list]

This brief email clarifies communication problems by letting people know exactly where they stand. That, in turn, improves morale and helps person 1 create a landing zone(LZ) for later projects.