It’s a simple email, with some updates to send to a few people. Out of courtesy, I show it to two other people so they can feel like a part of it and even add their name – team work, yay! But no, no, no. Now we have to share it with four other people, at least, for review and feedback. It was supposed to take 10 min, now it’s going to be at least 10 solid hours and the message will be a patchwork of what everyone wants.
This is one of the reasons why I’m tired of this part of the company and why I need something else. It seems like big companies just lose speed and agility eventually.
It’s tiring and damaging for any kind of effective work you might have any motivation to do. Soon enough you are struggling, pushing yourself to not give up on it… just one more little meeting to “share the vision” and we’ll send that once-supposed-to-be simple email.
Multiply this by dozens of emails, dozens of reports, plans, projects, programs, ideas, brainstorms, meetings to prepare for meetings and you have a pretty much business-as-usual day in the office. I’m not getting any younger.
Ranting over. Now, let´s use some of the coaching lessons I´ve been preaching.
One of the quotes that comes to mind is:
Never apologize. Never explain. Just get the thing done, and let them howl.
Agnes Macphail, a female politician from the 19th century (!), said this and now, so many generations later a woman from across the globe reads and find inspiration in it. Thank you, Agnes.
I´ll just pack my mind, come up with a plan, roll up the sleeves and upgrade my life. There´s more to it than emails and days at the office.
