Welcome to the Deploy Yourself Newsletter. Every two weeks I share about what impactful coaching and leadership look like. I also share the most insightful lessons and stories I encountered in the last two weeks. You can also read this issue online.
Are You Looking For The Right Things?
A person wanted to move to a new town with his family so he visited the local gas station in the new town and asked the attendant “What kind of people live in this town?”
“Well”, the attendant replied, “what kind of people live back where you are from?”
The visitor replied, “They are selfish, mean and dishonest”.
The attendant answered, “You will find the people here like that, too.”
A few days later another man stopped by the gas station with the same question. “I am thinking of moving here. What kind of people live around here?”
Again the attendant asked, “Well, what kind of people live back where you are from?”
The man thought for a moment and said, “I found them to be kind, decent, and honest.”
The gas station attendant answered, “You will find the people here like that, too.”
Isn’t it so true? You often find what you go looking for. Are you looking for the right things – in the people around you, in the company you work for, in your neighbors, or in your politicians?
If this story struck a chord with you or made you realize something deep, hit reply, and share the insight that you had?
Articles and Stories Which Have Fascinated Me
One
7 Empathetic Questions To Ask At Work to Understand And Support Your Colleagues
I have often been surprised by how much we can hide beneath our fake smiles and phony appearances. As a leader, the ability to uncover the hidden and provide support can be the difference between success and failure.
One way to uncover important issues is to ask powerful questions regularly. These questions require original answers which often leads to introspection and being vulnerable. Below are 7 such Empathetic Questions which you can ask:-
1. “You don’t seem yourself today. Would you like to take a break and chat?”
2. If you notice someone angry or frustrated, you can calmly say – “You sound upset. Is that because of something I did? Let me know if I can help anyway.”
3. “What can I do to help? How can I (or the organization) support you?” You can ask this question when you see a person sad or dejected.
4. If you know someone is going through a personal crisis, you can politely ask. “I know you are going through a tough time. If you want to talk about it, I am willing to hear you out and help in any way possible?”
5. “I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for you. I want you to know that I and the organisation appreciate the way you have responded to the situation. If there is anything else I can do to support you, let me know?”
6. “I am sorry for what you are going through right now. I know you are a fighter and will come back stronger from this. Can I be of any help?“
7. “I would hate to see you burn out. Are you taking care of yourself? Is there anything I can do?”
From my article titled 7 Empathetic Questions To Ask At Work to Understand And Support Your Colleagues
Two
Good Enough Is Just Fine
Good Enough is not shitty work. It’s not a half-assed attempt to create something just to get it out there. It’s not about releasing work that you know needed more time and thought. Instead, Good Enough is when you’ve done the hard work to get it to 95%, but you understand that it’s okay to let it go. It’s the ability to recognize that 100% is a construct of the mind, and pursuing it will take you away from exploring other areas of interest.
Good Enough is when you know that the work isn’t perfect, but it still respects the intellect of your audience. It’s not exactly what you envisioned, but it’s still damn good enough to deserve their investment of attention. As a creator, you will never feel that your work is complete. You can only get it to a point where it feels right to let it go. And letting go is the only way to start something else that will further your creative progress.
Good Enough is what allows us to move on and try again.
From an article titled Good Enough Is Just Fine by Lawrence Yeo
That’s it for now. If you have any questions, just hit reply. All the best,
Sumit
(Twitter) @SumitGupta
(LinkedIn) Connect