importance of talking

Last Thursday at work, we talked about quality. What it means and what it doesn’t.
Seth Godin wrote about quality on the same day.
My friend and I told each other of the first transgender person we encountered.
Two pairs of the same event took place on the same day.

These things happen all the time. We don’t know about it because we don’t do enough talking and listening.

Similar thought entered during the full-day workshop on Thursday. They are busy, but not working cross-functionally. Wasting time solving problems already resolved or of no importance. Not understanding who their customers are. Over-investing in the wrong things. Not asking the right questions. They haven’t even met anyone from 8 other pillars within the newly formed company?!

One of them is a big talker and doesn’t understand the question before answering. They want to be spoon fed. Do they understand the importance of the remaining six months before the financial-year end close? The team of 30 must prove their collective value-add. Otherwise, everyone will lose their jobs…
Do they don’t understand the why?
Do they understand the importance of rapid prototyping to create value?

My first priority is to get to know the team and make connections with my cross-functional stakeholders to get their buy-in and support to leverage their expertise and relationships. Get everyone to talk more to one another within our silos but most importantly, the rest of the organization.

Talking is the most efficient way to get information and get things done. Stop emailing. Stop calling. Stop messaging! Go and talk to someone! Go make a connection!