A featured contribution from Leadership Perspectives, a curated forum for enterprise technology leaders, nominated by our subscribers and vetted by the CIOApplications Editorial Board.
Little Caesars Pizza
Life at 255
"Life at 255" is an old Excel issue. You could only put 255 characters in a block. Texting was the same in the old days, but not so much now!
However, it is essential that "Life at 255" is a real thing. How often have you read an email or a text and responded only to find further down the message that the information was right there? You already responded and now you look like a Fill-in-the-blank, or better yet, show that you have an attention span of a gnat.
Or you got one of those texts or created one of your own that reads like a book. Tell me what you think when we see a text and can tell that for the next 10 minutes, you have to read and re-read. Do you go, Ah, well, that is going to have to wait?
To my friends who know me, life at 255 is not who I am and it is an ever-challenging journey. I know you are smiling (a lengthy list of names here), but check the LIKE list… you know I am right!
In our world today, we use social media for everything, or so we say; we use tools like Teams, Google messages, WhatsApp and GroupMe and all of those have both their plus and minuses; so what if we were to re-adopt a life at 255 with each of our communications, could that be better.
Get in, get out and get it over with. What if we started with the result we wanted?
Hey John, can you approve Jane's request to access our team processes?
Rather than John, Jane Williams is a new member of our team and as such, she will need access to Teams, SharePoint and Service Now. Insert 20 other tools here so that she can carry out her job.
Should we work from a position of what they know, not what they do not?
Keith, can you please approve the budget for our integration of (insert tool here)?
Now I can tell you that there are days where I believe we need to take people on the journey of the Who, what, where, when, why and how, but don't start with the journey; begin with the decision as "life at 255" and then if required create the background, justification, concerning implications, or whatever circumstances that it will take to educate and motivate the person, leader, wife, partner or anyone to make the decision you are asking for.
To my wife…. honey, I got a babysitter and we are going to (insert favorite restaurant) for just our dinner.
Instead of (let me remind you of the day you had), well, I know you had a long day with the kids, the house, the car and such. How about we get a babysitter and go spend some time alone to have an adult conversation? I can tell you the longer I talk, every excuse in the world, but the real thing we are trying to cure is some quiet time together. How many of you just rolled your eyes? You know it is true.
Get in, get out and get it over with. What if we started with the result we wanted?
Hey John, can you approve Jane's request to access our team processes?
Rather than John, Jane Williams is a new member of our team and as such, she will need access to Teams, SharePoint and Service Now. Insert 20 other tools here so that she can carry out her job.
Should we work from a position of what they know, not what they do not?
Clear, concise communication often leads to faster decisions and stronger connections. By starting with the outcome we seek and embracing brevity, ‘Life at 255’ reminds us that less can truly be more in both work and relationships
Keith, can you please approve the budget for our integration of (insert tool here)?
Now I can tell you that there are days where I believe we need to take people on the journey of the Who, what, where, when, why and how, but don't start with the journey; begin with the decision as "life at 255" and then if required create the background, justification, concerning implications, or whatever circumstances that it will take to educate and motivate the person, leader, wife, partner or anyone to make the decision you are asking for.
To my wife…. honey, I got a babysitter and we are going to (insert favorite restaurant) for just our dinner.
Instead of (let me remind you of the day you had), well, I know you had a long day with the kids, the house, the car and such. How about we get a babysitter and go spend some time alone to have an adult conversation? I can tell you the longer I talk, every excuse in the world, but the real thing we are trying to cure is some quiet time together. How many of you just rolled your eyes? You know it is true.
The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.
