Page 90 - Make Work Great

It Starts with You

a real-life infomercial about how things should be done. In a nutshell
(or perhaps a node-shell), it is what you demonstrate to other people
by your actions and, through your example, how they should act.
This is—you are—the seed crystal for your reinvention of the cul-
ture. This is where you begin to Make Work Great.

EXERCISES

1. Review the three types of clarity within relationships.

2. Defi ne a question. Identify the most problematic issue you have
found in using the six types of overtness about task. Frame it
as a question to which you need an answer (e.g., “What are my
responsibilities on this project?” “Why am I still here?” “How
do I know if I’m making progress?”). Be as specifi c as possible.

3. Defi ne your approach. First, consider “who”: identify someone
with whom an objective discussion of this question might produce
useful results. Then think about “what”: consider conversation
starters that open with a statement of your understanding rather
than a question that will put the other person on the defensive.
Finally, determine “how”: decide how quick or thorough your
conversation will be and how much focus you will place on issues
of task versus people.

4. Defi ne your need for agreement: Decide what agreement, if any,
you need from the other person. Be prepared to agree to dis-
agree about other things to avoid losing sight of the original
topic of your discussion.

5. Have the actual conversation, and make it as productive as pos-
sible. See what you learn, thank the person for his or her time,
and then decide whether the answers you obtained are suffi cient
or if you should repeat the cycle with the same person or some-

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