Whose War are You Fighting?
Greetings,
There are fights erupting everywhere. I don't mean the small scuffles between fans of rival sports teams or the squabbles between school mates. I mean real big fights which change the trajectory of not just the ones fighting but everyone else's lives as well. But who are these fighters? Who are they fighting? What are they fighting about?
Last month we saw the scenes at Capitol Hill. There have been ongoing farmer protests in India which took an ugly turn. And in Russia we have protests building up. So it is a global phenomena.
To add to all this, we now have Wall St. versus Main St.
Call me stupid, but fighting battles with huge stakes is not advisable if there is no clear understanding of the rules of engagement.
There will be a few who say the individual stakes are not big at all. Huge stakes doesn’t necessarily mean seven digit figures. For a person who is unemployed, even $1,000 is a huge stake.
And that is where we are at today. People fighting with real ammunition - money.
If someone forwarded you this newsletter, please thank them on my behalf! Welcome to Newsletter # 30.
Thoughts that crossed my mind, while I was reading…
How to Have A Thicker Skin for Negative Feedback by Selena Rezwani and Kristi Hedges
It is not easy to be proactive and ask for feedback. Especially when things appear to go right. The fact remains only you have the big picture about what you are engaged in. This creates a barrier between you and those who may wish to offer advice.
Even though you have the big picture and others don't, it is still beneficial to get whatever little input on any part of your overall task scope. A small tweak in a certain area might help reap big rewards in others.
The fear of critique introduces another layer of resistance. After working your backside off, nothing hurts more than someone suggesting that you are not doing things right.
But we have to realize that it is better to change direction now instead of later. Later may be too late.
7 Questions with Phil Libin by Sequoia Capital
Uncertainty is the default state. Navigating through uncertainty is a skill we cannot afford not to have.
Be clear on what your goal is. That will help define a broad path to follow. If there is no clarity we end up jumping from one shiny object to another, with no real purpose or destination.
Have conversations with coaches and mentors even when you think you don't need help. Quickly you will realize you do need help.
Every person and every effort aligned towards the cause, is imperative. The slightest misalignment causes great damage. The costs of fixing the damage is far greater than what would have cost to align things in the first place.
When everyone writes well and the communication lines are fluid, everyone can be aligned even when working remotely. Clarity is key. Writing is a snapshot of a person's way of thinking, their focus, their style.
Talking about listening to feedback and asking for help in a timely fashion, Hiroyuki shared this gorgeous picture of a Japanese White-Eye bird perched on a Plum Blossom tree. It seems to be taking in some feedback from its surroundings.
Plum Blossoms are a symbol of perseverance and hope as we move through the last phase of winter. It flowers at the end of winter and indicates spring will arrive soon. I can't wait!
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Stay well and see you next week.
Evian
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