“I WAS being strategic,” Shannon thought…
Below is a fictional scenario based on real-life events.
“This needs to be more strategic. Rewrite.” This was the only feedback Maddox wrote Shannon on a planning document for an upcoming product launch.
Shannon was two months into their role at ACME Corporation and struggled to understand Maddox’s feedback.
The feedback was consistently terse. Vague. Incomplete.
“Sharper.”
“Confusing.”
“Don’t get this.”
Maddox was very nice in person, but the smiles turned into frowns on paper.
And Shannon didn’t know what to do.
This feedback on the planning document was just the latest example.
Shannon thought they were strategic. They did their research. They didn’t start with tactics. But clearly, something was missing.
During their next conversation, Shannon raised the issue with Maddox.
“Maddox, it’s been a bumpy road these first few months,” Shannon said. “I thought I had a handle on your expectations, but I don’t think we’re on the same page. Can we start with your recent feedback that the planning document needs to be more strategic? What do you mean by ‘strategic.’?”
The question stumped Maddox.
“No one has asked me that before, Shannon,” Maddox responded. “I just assume everyone knows what I mean, and they just figure it out.”
They spent the next hour comparing notes on the word “strategy.”
While both people were correct through their respective definitions, they were clearly on a different page.
Shannon thought of strategy as themes tied directly to the tactics in the plan. They were trained to think about a plan that included big-picture goals, measurable objectives, and strategies and tactics that aligned with the objectives.
Maddox realized they never sat down with Shannon to discuss how ACME defines strategy. At ACME, when they think about strategy, it’s always related to the business strategy rather than the strategy of a campaign, launch, or other initiative. Maddox wants Shannon to always write plans by thinking about the business strategy first and then tying the bulk of the plan to the business strategy.
So, while Maddox and Shannon were coming from the right place, it’s clear why there was such a breakdown.
What does this mean for you?
Much like we have for our online passwords, we need two-factor authentication on ambiguous words.
Teams need a crystal-clear understanding of expectations, with clear examples of what words mean.
This can be the difference between a confident, well-rested, engaged, and happy employee and an uncertain, sleepless, stressed, disengaged, and unhappy employee.
How to address.
Please consider the words you use that could be perceived in different ways. Beyond everyday work, these might be included on your careers webpage, job description, or used during the interview process.
A few examples include:
Strategic.
Nimble.
Agile.
Forward-thinking.
Innovative.
Select one word per week that might be perceived as ambiguous and have a conversation with your team about how they define these words.
I guarantee what your team will learn will be enlightening.
Please let me know what you’ve uncovered!
And now for your MollyMoh update! Molly was a very good girl as we went to the vet to get her vaccines updated. Many treats were given for her bravery!
