How to be #FEARLESS at work this year (and every year)

The theme of “Fearless at Work” is the banner we need to rally behind in 2018. Technological and social disruptors threaten our companies and our jobs. The economics of our industries change by the hour – Which platform will get acquired? Which company will file for bankruptcy next? Which of our precious projects will get scrapped tomorrow?

The challenges are formidable to be sure – but they give way to resources that give us an edge– our own creativity and courage.

It’s inspirational to see leaders hold fast to their missions and give confidence to their teams. To watch loyal employees get laid off from stable jobs, but rise up to start their own businesses. And to see young professionals grind through obstacles and promote themselves within their organizations.

So how can we adopt the tenets of Fearlessness?

1.  Go Against the Grain

How often do we play the game, “Follow the Follower”? Are we obsessed with chasing industry benchmarks and “best practices”? A little self-examination (for me included) reveals that the purpose behind much of what we do is because “everyone else is doing it”. Many will say it like this:

·        Everyone is using this software.

·        Industry experts recommend this process/workflow.

·        Our competition is at that event, we should be too.

The result of such copy-cat behavior? Competitors follow each other in a never-ending circle, stifling creativity and producing clone organizations.

When asked about how to make the most of 2018, Sarah Kennedy, CMO of Marketo , remarks:

"CMOs need to be better at saying no to things they know don’t deliver the most value, even when saying no is painful or politically challenging."

 I find that the best answers to achieve differentiation come from within. Instead of looking to others, ask YOURSELF:

What do YOU think will increase value for your customers?

How can WE do better work at our jobs? What is stopping us?

What are YOU excited about that you want to work on?

When you look at great leaders, either professional or personally, you’ll find that they are the ones going against the grain.

2. Fix your interdepartmental relationships

I revisited a classic self-development book recently, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by the late Stephen Covey. He says that in grade school we are pushed to focus on our own work, getting our own good grades. Cooperation is prohibited, you can’t work on reports together, that is cheating. Years later when we transition to the workplace, it seems we’ve carried over these unproductive habits. Do the statements below sound like anyone you know?

“This is my analysis, I will work hard on this and everyone will think I am smart.”

“Marketing owns this initiative, we will grow this area of the business and our department will shine.”

“This is my deal, I’m good enough to close it on my own – that will prove I’m the best seller here.”

Stephen Covey’s answer here is one worth remembering: Go for Win-Win.

Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP says it well:

“Success is never a solo endeavor. Self-reliance is admirable, but we’re kidding ourselves if we think we can achieve any goal without help.”

Over time, your relationship with coworkers and other departments may deteriorate because of lack of collaboration, and butting heads on past projects. The solution? Take initiative: You should be the one reaching out to coworkers and becoming interested in what they are working on. Think up new ways and new initiatives that 2 or more departments can work together to improve something in the business. 

Fixing of your work relationships, especially those in other departments, will happen slowly but accumulate. Start small: ask for help, ask for advice, and ask how you can be of service.

3. Own up to what’s not working

It takes courage to have a frank conversation with your boss and point out what’s not working. But the reverse of the situation is infinitely worse. Letting bad programs and initiatives (especially expensive ones) keep running can be deleterious to your team and to your reputation. Periodically separate yourself from your projects and look at them objectively. Remember if you are the owner, only you can say “Hey this is starting to suck, let’s change it.” If your boss knows what she is doing, she will respect the fact that you are results-oriented, and are not mindlessly following direction. As a bonus, once you stop spending time on unproductive activities, it will free up your time and resources to try more effective initiatives.

4.      Hold yourself to a higher standard

Work is imperfect, and you will have to put up with a lot of crap. Don’t settle – keep on pushing, keep on striving for excellence.

5.      Promote yourself

Don’t expect someone to clear a path for you to the top. You have to be your biggest champion. The truth is that your boss is busy, and while some may encourage growth better than others, you are doing yourself a disservice by not being your biggest advocate. Take on additionally responsibility, achieve better results, and when the time is right, ask earnestly for the role you want.

Being “Fearless” today isn’t what you would expect. It’s not always about taking huge business risks, or taking big chances – most of the time it’s the little things. It’s speaking up when you disagree. It’s having a tough conversation upfront, rather than putting it off. It’s being open enough to take constructive feedback to heart, and being brave enough to give hard feedback when you know it will help.