Look back in wonder and... Work to the unspoken

Published: Wed, 12/08/21

Dear ,

Welcome to this helping of "To Be Clear..." - a refreshing gulp of regular coaching clarity in your inbox where I share a couple of brief ideas which you can apply in your work life.

After a longer break than usual, it's great to be in touch with you at the tail end of another extraordinary year. So far the 2020s are definitely proving to be something, aren't they? If the 1920s were the "Roaring Twenties", what would you call this decade so far and why? Answers on a postcard/email and a prize for the winner! This issue looks at a helpful professional practice for this time of year and something we never talk about at work.

How are you doing?

As we approach the end of the year, even in the whirlwind of activity, it's a good time to take stock.

One of the four key pillars of my practice is progress. Building clear outcomes as part of the ONION process means that my clients are able to measure their progress towards success in meaningful ways and we check in regularly to see how they are doing against them and it's always a positive process, providing the fuel to move forward towards more successful outcomes in their work and business.

Progress is a great motivator. We'll think about how best to set ourselves meaningful metrics to measure our progress in a future installment but, for now, it's still worthwhile reflecting on the ground you've covered in recent months. Take 5 minutes - grab a coffee or a cup of tea and a notepad or take longer, go for a walk or use an upcoming journey. Think about where you were three months/ six months/ a year ago and then ask yourself, "Where have I made/ am I making progress at work since then?" Here are a few questions you could ask to get clearer on this:

- What's gone better than I expected? Where have I surprised myself?

- What have I learned (and put into practice)?

- What's easier now than it was three months/ six months/ a year ago?

- What's clearer now than it was?

- What am I less afraid of?

- What's easier?

- What have I spent less time doing?

- Where have I been more intentional?

- What am I making more use of in a positive way?

- What's exciting me more?

Are you more patient with a particular situation or individual? Better at delegating (or taking responsibility!)? Better at managing others/ being managed? Is there something you dread less/ feel more confident in? Are there new skills you've picked up or old ones you've built or resurrected? Have you been more forthright/ kinder/ careful/ bolder / better at asking for help or taking a step back in the right contexts? If so, note these things down, think about examples and the impacts they've had on your life and those of others and (humbly) celebrate the progress you've made. This is also a great exercise to do with someone else either to help you to draw out your own progress or to help someone else to draw out theirs.

Where are you making progress at work? Where have you made progress at work? It’s so easy to focus on what’s wrong at work and to feel dispirited especially at this time of year when we’re tired and feeling pushed to get things done. My experience with clients is that, because progress is a great motivator, pausing to do this kind of review fuels and energises you to keep going well and to keep making meaningful progress at work.

Next, an issue which (hopefully for obvious reasons as you read) rarely gets discussed at work but which makes a big difference.

Know what's unspoken

Not only is Christmas coming but so is the final episode of the current series of ‘Succession’ , HBO's much lauded show about a family business and the complex family dynamics at the heart of it. I won't detail here all the things that have made it such a good watch since its first series* - feel free to get in touch to hear more or google the show (while trying to avoid spoilers)!

One thing that's hard to miss on ‘Succession’ is the unspoken rule that everyone is always trying to gain the approval of Brian Cox's terrifying and compelling paterfamilias, Logan Roy. Even when they think they are doing things for more complex personal and professional reasons, the pursuit of Logan's approval is at the heart of everything the key hi characters do. Sometimes this is obvious to them but sometimes it's not. Either way, it's always true and the reason that Logan is so strong is because he understands this and the reason the other characters so often mess up and misstep is that they don't.

Unspoken assumptions dominate so many of our professional interactions. My practice is all about clarity and so, when I work with organisational clients, I often ask question designed to uncover the unspoken ideas which drive the way their business or organisation do things. Inevitably, this clarity on the unspoken helps them to tackle some of the complex issues holding them back as well as to tap into unused resources. I think of an organisation with whom I'm currently working where taking time to be clear on unspoken but powerful ideas about what constitutes success has led to some big strategic changes in their core business.They've already begun to invest in and realise some of the benefits of dealing with these unspoken assumptions.

The same is true of individual clients as we work together and they grasp and voice the unspoken assumptions which drive them and underpin their workplaces and working practices. The result is often relief and always progress. Our coaching relationship provides a space to articulate what needs addressing at work and, once the unspoken is acknowledged, you can address it and, as you address it, you can move forward.

Think of a sticky, complex issue at work or an area in which you and your organisation are currently stuck or unable to get the results you'd like. What is being assumed but not being articulated? How might acknowledging it (to yourself or others) help?

Do be in touch and let me know how that goes. It's great to hear what strikes a chord and how you're applying it.

Some of you have asked about my availability going into next year. As the year draws to a close, like many of you, I'm thinking about a break but also gearing up on a couple of new projects (more of which to come) while winding down on others. Currently, I have a couple of slots for new clients in the new year so if you're aware of anyone who you think might be a good fit and might benefit from a conversation which gets them clearer about their work or business, don't hesitate to get in touch or to put them in touch soon.

Wishing you a clearer week ahead.

As ever,

Ranti

* - Although I will say that 'Tern Haven' - the fifth episode of Season 2 is one of the most brilliantly constructed and entertaining things I've seen...

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