hey just don’t get it! - Leading Geeksleadinggeeks.com/.../04/They-Just-Dont-Get...Geeks.pdf ·...
Transcript of hey just don’t get it! - Leading Geeksleadinggeeks.com/.../04/They-Just-Dont-Get...Geeks.pdf ·...
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 1
They just don’t get it!
7 ways for geeks and non-geeks to get along
geek noun. slang. An expert or an enthusiast in
an analytical field such as computers or engineering. At one time considered an insult, it has become a badge of honor for technical people.
How we got here.
What we will talk about
• The disconnect and why it matters
• 7 core reasons we don’t get each other
• Tips for making it better
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 2
Why it matters.
People Suffer
The cycle of dysfunction
When there’s dysfunction...
Business suffers
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 3
And what does it cost?
$80 Billion
a year in failed projects.
Alignment
Assumes business knows what it wants
Governance
Devolves into legalistic interaction
Relationship Management
You can’t delegate human connection
Process
Assumes people do what they are supposed to do
What’s been tried?
Why haven’t these worked?
Humans are not machines.
Gets emotional
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 4
Where are PMs in all of this?
And humans like to complain.
So, let’s complain.
What geeks say about non-geeks
What non-geeks say about geeks
Now, wait a minute … Are we promoting stereotypes?
Think archetypes.
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 5
You are special.
And, we know …
Individuals are unique.
Why has it come to this?
Geeks Non-geeks
We have fundamentally contrasting world views.
Contrast
Axioms
Contraxioms A matched pair of contrasting axioms that
give rise to different points of view
Where do different world views come from?
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 6
We can use these contraxioms to transform the cycle of dysfunction.
The cycle of productivity
Recognition
Allowance
Illumination Trust
Collaboration
The 7 Contraxioms of Geeks and Non-geeks
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 7
Contraxiom #1
Geeks
For Geeks, work is about solving problems
Non-geeks
For non-geeks, work is about achieving a vision
Work
Contraxiom #1
Work Problems vs. Vision
Geeks
• Problems organize thinking
• Provide specific structure
• Start in present
Non-geeks
• Visions get us out of bed
• Are an imagined experience
• Start in future
Contraxiom #1
Work
What happens
Instead of working, we battle about how to work
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 8
One thing we can do
Tip for geeks
Talk about dependencies
Tip for non-geeks
Establish clear problem
statements
Contraxiom #1
Work
Contraxiom #2
Geeks
For geeks, the future is looming
Non-geeks
For non-geeks, the future is promising
Future
Looming vs. Promising
Geeks
• Risks lurk in every unknown
• Planning for the worst is our
duty
• A direct path connects present
to future
Non-geeks
• The sun will come out tomorrow
• No need to see everything that
could possibly go wrong
• If we can dream it, we can do it
Contraxiom #2
Future
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 9
Our plans suck.
What happens
Contraxiom #2
Future
Tip for geeks Find the essence of their vision;
ignore implausibility for now.
Tip for non-geeks Talk about risks and share the
burden of them.
One thing we can do
Contraxiom #2
Future
Contraxiom #3
Geeks
Geeks know in their head, through detailed analysis
Non-geeks
Non-geeks know in their gut, by getting the gist
Knowing
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 10
Head vs. Gut
Geeks
• Analytical process, verifying the
parts to know the whole
• Details reveal truth
• Emotions get in the way, test
intuition
• Objectivity makes me feel safe
Non-geeks
• Something to relate to
• Details cloud truth
• Emotions are important, trust
intuition
• Shared subjectivity makes me
feel safe
Contraxiom #3
Knowing
Tribal warfare.
What happens
Contraxiom #3
Knowing
Tip for geeks
When they don’t get it, use an
example; look for logic hidden in
their intuition.
Tip for non-geeks
When they don’t get it, use
evidence; don’t expect others to
trust your intuition.
One thing we can do
Contraxiom #3
Knowing
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 11
Contraxiom #4
Geeks
For geeks, language is precise and bounded
Non-geeks
For non-geeks, language is indefinite and open
Language
Precise vs. Indefinite
Geeks
• Purpose is to transmit
information
• Language is like code
• Language should be debugged
Non-geeks
• Purpose is to share meaning
• Language is loaded
• Over-clarifying interferes with
relatedness
Contraxiom #4
Language
No fun together.
What happens
Contraxiom #4
Language
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 12
Tip for geeks
Don’t interrupt their thinking with
questions; let them enjoy a little
ambiguity.
Tip for non-geeks
Recognize that questions are a
form of respect; for them,
clarifying is fun.
One thing we can do
Contraxiom #4
Language
Contraxiom #5
Geeks
For geeks, good is absolute
Non-geeks
For non-geeks, good is contextual
Good
Absolute vs. Contextual
Geeks
• Good and bad are black and
white
• Principles always trump results
• If you do bad, you are bad
Non-geeks
• Good and bad come in shades
of gray
• Results sometimes trump
principles
• Good people sometimes do bad
things
Contraxiom #5
Good
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 13
Stuck in the box.
What happens
Contraxiom #5
Good
Tip for geeks
Notice your outrage; consider
letting go of absolutes.
Tip for non-geeks
When you encounter inflexibility,
discover the principle at stake,
propose an alternative principle.
One thing we can do
Contraxiom #5
Good
Contraxiom #6
Geeks
For geeks, lying is evil
Non-geeks
For non-geeks, lying is not good
Lying
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 14
Geeks
• Lying is evil; Truth is sacred
• If you don’t know it’s true, and
you say it, you’re lying
• Exaggerations and opinions
stated as fact are lies
Non-geeks
• Lying is bad manners
• If you know it’s not true, and
you say it, you’re lying
• Exaggerations and opinions are
normal speech
Evil vs. Not Good
Contraxiom #6
Lying
Outrage.
What happens
Contraxiom #6
Lying
Tip for geeks
Resist the urge to qualify
sweeping statements.
Tip for non-geeks
Acknowledge hyperbole; say “I
believe” when making unproven
assertions.
One thing we can do
Contraxiom #6
Lying
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 15
Contraxiom #7
Geeks
For geeks, “wanting” should be irrelevant to decisions
Non-geeks
For non-geeks, “wanting” is essential to decisions
Wanting
Irrelevant vs. Essential
Geeks
• Wanting is subjective and
shouldn’t be used
• Wanting is selfish
• Expressing want risks ridicule
Non-geeks
• Wanting is how you know
what’s important
• My want does not negate your
want
• I don’t trust people without
wants
Contraxiom #7
Wanting
Geeks MIA
What happens
Contraxiom #7
Wanting
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 16
Tip for geeks
Explicitly point out what’s
important to you.
Tip for non-geeks
Ask them about what is
important to them.
One thing we can do
Contraxiom #7
Wanting
7 ways to get along
7. Wanting irrelevant vs. essential
6. Lying evil vs. bad manners
5. Good absolute vs. contextual
4. Language precise vs. indefinite
3. Knowing analysis vs. gist
2. Future looming vs. promising
1. Work problems vs. visions
How can you use this?
1. In the daily moments
2. At critical organizational transitions
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 17
Contraxioms every day
Triggers Levers
Am I triggered by
this?
What lever will help him
get this?
Contraxioms in transitions
• Launching major projects
• Project crises
• Leadership changes
• Mergers
Questions?
©Copyright 2012 Leading Geeks Company, All Rights Reserved www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 18
Our challenge to you …
www.leadinggeeks.com 310-694-0450 [email protected] [email protected]