Growing Pains. More than a popular TV sitcom of the ’80s, its been a reality of BigBadCollab. Growing is a great thing and done right, can be an experience that pulls a company together rather than just stretching it to its seams. That said, nothing complex is possible in “three easy steps” but we are more than glad to share what we have learned. Please note I did not say mastery. We are learning just like everyone else and humble pie is a part of a balanced growth diet.
We are growing. Growth is never easy nor is it comfortable. We have always been a little baffled by companies or corporate mantra that promotes “Growth!”. Its almost like growth is the goal and everything around it is a by-product. If you have spent anytime around us, got to know our hearts and what motivates us, you would know that we are all about relationship, then business. Relationship then business. Growth in our company is not our goal, its a by-product of our growing tribe and those that have continue to trust us with their vision. So, if you are with me so far, lets run these out and see how they resonate with you. We would love to hear your thoughts or comments.
1. Communicate (communicate, communicate). This cannot be over-emphasized. Communicate within leadership, communicate within staff, communicate within clients. Communicate, not chatter. Effective communication states succinctly and builds expectations that should be understood, not implied. Its not just emails, not just voice mails. Its connecting in a meaningful way that builds bridges, dispels assumptions, and plants a path forward.
2. Don’t plan. Those smart guys over @37signals have it right. Like they taught all of us in Rework, we are not fortune-tellers. Plans truly are “guesses” (the harder one for me is ‘strategic guesses’–brilliant!). Planning removes the organic and the creative genius that is formed at the cusp of leading. Improvisation is opportunity for trust, development, and *real growth. How do you plan improvisation? In other words, grow leadership. Don’t plan on it. Do it, don’t plan it.
3. Celebrate. Create, foster, and cultivate a culture that celebrates. Celebrate the wins, celebrate the great jobs, celebrate the birthdays, celebrate plans done well. Celebrate individuals. Celebrate teams. Try to maintain a “celebrate to correct ratio of at least 4:1″. There are lots of opportunities to improve, encourage, and coach someone into being more of who they were created to be. Growing pains present these opportunities in ways that creatively give leadership those important moments of fostering vision and ownership to that vision.
—–
*Real growth is not head counts. Real growth is growing people, not companies. Growing people is learning to communicate, walking organically together, celebrating each other along the way…at least, that’s our definition.
Tags: opportunity
