Good people do bad work too

This is an emotional brain dump of pragmatism.

We all know people in our fields and social circles that we like as people but do not respect as professionals. This disconnect between affinity and evaluation of skill often causes us to make bad business decisions for the sake of friendship. DON’T.

This is especially true of arrangements of subcontracting work. Ultimately, your bottom line is based on the timeliness and quality of the finished product you present to the client. All subcontracting arrangements require management and direction. Editorial decisions must also be made to ensure that what you deliver is something of which you can be proud; as well as what the client has requested.

Therefore, I posit that working in your social circle is not entirely a bad decision; but certainly one that must be based on respect for work instead of respect for friendship. These arrangements can build social capital, but often create tensions and ego problems.

The reason you do what you do is because you believe you are good at it. Good enough, in fact, that what you offer is better that what someone else can offer. Your opinions matter. Your clients buy your services because of their faith in you. Make sure you trust your reputation to the people you think are the best at what you don’t do.

Side note: I have said before that I believe that it is almost always better to refer work out instead of subbing it. I stand by that. Unless you want to run a company, firm, or agency; at which point I say subcontracts should be converted to employment contracts.

Hugs and Headbutts,

-Bully

Awareness of self springs from awareness of others

I am awesome. I know this. You know this (or you should). This is great. However, I am not an island.

I have said one million two hundred and twenty-seven times that no one can do everything (well) alone. We need specialists to make things great.

Being a ‘linchpin’ – a term I am tired of hearing – as Godin suggests in his book of the same name, is not being able to do everything; it is being able to understand how many things are done. I am broad, not deep, in many subjects. I have an intellectual curiosity for knowing how other people view their work and their worlds because I am interested in understanding how to communicate with those people. I don’t need to possess the technical skills to do a specialists job.

My favorite thing about my job and my volunteer work is that I tend to become the central clearinghouse for workflow and information passing between others. I get to see everything that is happening and make sure that everyone is on the same page. It is not creative direction; but rather project management. What this teaches me on a daily basis is that I am good at what I do and others are good at what they do. A mutual respect society is created.

I am not critical of others; but instead I find out through interaction what others are capable and incapable of. This leads me to recognize what I am capable of at the same time. It is self-realization. The statement that “you don’t know what you don’t know” rings both true and false in these instances. It is true from the standpoint of understanding that there are things you simply aren’t even aware of until someone else shows you that it exists; or is possible. It is false based on the availability of that information if you are paying attention.

So open your eyes and recognize the talents, skills, and value of those around you and, in turn, you will recognize your own contributions and shortcomings.

Or not,

Bully

Oversharing

I bet I tricked you into thinking this was about ‘TMI’. You know why I bet that? Because I think I’m really smart. Don’t we all?

That is the point of this post: do you know when to share your knowledge and when you are just adding to the noise?

I have attended multiple events with both structured and open-format opportunities for people to share their knowledge and interests with others; events like Ignite, TED, Pecha Kucha Night, xCamps, and their many peers. There is value to this type of sharing and there is a slippery slope in it as well. When anyone is given the chance to share – even under application and vetting – we are assuming expertise.

Audiences, by their nature, check their filters for authority at the door of an auditorium. I am not saying that audiences are sheep; but what happens in these types of situations is a kind of exchange of credibility. The unfortunate result is that, when the presentation is full of holes or inaccuracies, instead of simply discounting the speaker, the subject matter loses status or becomes vilified as well. Often the wrong thinking in the presentation creates an environment for personal attacks in place of discussion about the content as well; which is also damaging to the intended takeaway or inspiration.

Presentations are best left to people who are not simply passionate about, or interested in, a subject; but who also have some academic or research background to support their authoritative position.

This proliferation of ‘experts’ is almost certainly a result of the culture of blogging and micro-blogging. When people such as myself are allowed a platform to speak from a personal position on any subject, there is the tendency to take an authoritative stance after a time because others are cosigning this position with their continued readership. People are listening, so I must be saying something of value.

On top of this problem is that of parroting or consolidation. If your presentation on a subject is informed by the statements or research of others, are you clearly stating their results or commentary? Do your authoritative sources actually support one another? Could you be extrapolating or embellishing incomplete fact? Are you helping the cause or driving it in skewed directions?

I do not make presentations on any subject, but instead offer my opinions and advice when I have the opportunity. I disclaim many of my statements to ensure that others don’t think I believe I am the final word on any subject. I know a lot; but unless you want to hear me prattle on about how to ruin romantic relationships with cold calculation, I’ve got no speeches to make.

Taking the step back to recognize that our value isn’t in whether or not other people will listen to us, but rather in whether or not we have anything to say that hasn’t been heard before, is an important motivator for digging deeper into our interests.

So, if you are an authority on a subject matter, please share with others. If you are an enthusiast, be sure to keep listening to the experts and learning more.

But hey, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.” So I can’t write you a prescription.

-Bully