Key People: Impact players BRING IT. All the time. They are full of “juice” and turned on. They are really good at executing AND do more than execute on what’s expected. They anticipate, create, innovate and are always searching for a way to create a “wow.” The “wow” is not about grandstanding. It is about creating and achieving breakthrough.
“Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room,” Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computer Corp. once said. Recently Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook noted.: “I will only hire someone to work directly for me if I would work for that person. It’s a pretty good test and I think this rule has served me well.” It’s that time of the year (our fiscal year ends March 31) when I start to think over what results my team has achieved, relationships developed and how much team members have progressed.
While Dell and Zuckerberg have great “tests” about teammates that I really do like, I also put a big check beside the quality of edgy ideas and additional unexpected value people bring. I’m really attracted to people who are always thinking BIG about what might be possible. They’re more than silent dreamers. These are people who meet me at the “white board,” and are fearless about their views. This hopefully includes different perspectives than mine and I RELISH that, because they bring angles I’m likely missing. I don’t want people trying to navigate or manage me. I honor people who help me think better, stimulate a “one plus one equals seven” outcome . And it’s fun. Everyone one in the room fires up because the ideas and possibilities light us all up. And we leave mental trash behind to rapidly biodegrade, no longer belonging to anyone. And from US, a new picture, a new path, a new light… Sort of a ” farm to table ” freshness in the room. It’s a lot like being a little kid lost in free play with people you like. No one’s fighting over a toy. It becomes about creating more, better, brighter, and sharing in the beauty of design and outcome.
Character Moves:
- Just “bring it.” Everyone has a boss and the best feeling is when you bring something, the boss smiles, fist pumps and gets excited too. And don’t worry if it doesn’t always click. People working for and around me are still chuckling about my crazy eyed “killer bees” idea this year. Our CEO was dry heaving; he thought the idea was so dumb. Guess what? 10 great ones… Two crumby ones… So what? I’m NEVER going to stop BRINGING IT.
- If you’re THE boss, don’t try and be the smartest person with the best and only way all the time. Be there to inspire… Encourage… Maybe put a bumper guard here and there. Use your experience, shepherd and throw gasoline on the sparks when your team is bringing it. Embrace the joy that comes when ideas are tripping over each other like a run away Lego set! And that’s why in The Lego Movie… “Everything is awesome.”
Bringing it in The Triangle!
– Lorne
One Millennial View: This time, I can only agree. Just bring it! On all levels.