Get Tuesday! - December 10, 2024
Some wisdom transcends time. Take Steve Jobs' famous advice about connecting the dots looking backward, or Simon Sinek's insights on starting with "why" - these aren't just quotes, they're roadmaps for thinking differently.
This week, we're diving deep into the intersection of timeless principles and modern innovation.
We'll explore how the best marketing is both an art and a science, why consistency is your secret weapon, and how truly great leaders provide context, not just commands.
These aren't just strategies; they're a philosophy of approach that can transform how you work, create, and lead.
Timeless wisdom
I recently came across a thought-provoking article from The Daily Coach that highlighted a timeless leadership principle: the value of teaching, helping, and supporting your team members rather than simply criticizing them. It really resonated with me, and I wanted to share some key takeaways and relate them to some other business contexts.
The article featured two anecdotes about leadership, one from Steve Jobs and the other from Simon Sinek.
In the first, Jobs reflected on a lesson he learned during his time at Apple. He realized the importance of taking a long-term perspective when it came to addressing mistakes. Instead of immediately trying to fix a problem, he emphasized the need to focus on helping the individual learn and grow. This approach fosters a supportive environment where team members feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them.
Sinek's story about a barista at the Four Seasons Hotel who loved his job because the managers consistently checked in with him and asked how they could help him do his job better further underscores this point.24 This proactive approach to offering support and guidance creates a positive and empowering work environment.
These examples highlight a fundamental truth about leadership: people thrive when they feel supported and valued. When leaders prioritize teaching and helping their team members, they create a culture of continuous improvement and growth.
Here are a few other business that seem to align with a similar principle:
Google's emphasis on psychological safety: Google has long recognized the importance of creating a work environment where employees feel comfortable taking risks and sharing their ideas without fear of judgment. This has been instrumental in fostering innovation and creativity within the company.
Netflix's "freedom and responsibility" culture: Netflix empowers its employees with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility, trusting them to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This approach encourages initiative and accountability, ultimately leading to better results.
Zappos' focus on customer service: Zappos is renowned for its exceptional customer service, which stems from its commitment to empowering its employees to go above and beyond to meet customer needs. This emphasis on employee empowerment has resulted in a loyal customer base and a strong brand reputation.
These examples demonstrate that a leadership style focused on teaching, helping, and empowering employees can lead to significant benefits for both individuals and organizations.
Art and science
Advice for those in the marketing space — or any strategic field: Marry ART and SCIENCE to create your content and platform-specific content strategy.
It's essential in today's digital landscape.
Art fuels creativity, crafting compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Science, on the other hand, leverages data analytics to understand trends and measure success.
By combining these two elements, you can tailor your content to fit the unique nuances of each platform. This means not only engaging your audience effectively but also maximizing reach and impact.
Consistency
Stop trying to be spectacular. Start being consistent.
Your reputation isn’t built on your best day. It’s built on your worst. Warren Buffett’s fortune was built on avoiding losses. Tom Brady became the GOAT not because of his highlight-reel throws, but because he rarely made a bad play.
Anyone can occasionally go to the gym, eat a healthy meal, and have a productive day. Doing it once in a while is common and doesn’t mean much.
Moments don’t make legends. Consistency does. And the hardest consistency isn’t in doing brilliant things but avoiding stupid ones. Every mistake puts you in hard mode, forcing you to make up lost ground.
Anyone can do it once. The outliers do it often.
Lead with context
Lead with context, not control.
Understanding the bigger picture empowers your team to make informed decisions.
When everyone knows the 'why,' innovation and trust thrive.
Build an environment where voices are heard and insights are valued.
