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"As a consultant, I’m going to be seen as some random guy wasting their time with a meeting." Yes, he will and that's because he is. His approach may work wit

"As a consultant, I’m going to be seen as some random guy wasting their time with a meeting." Yes, he will and that's because he is. His approach may work with midsize companies where word might not get aound. In large diversified one where his specialty is one of thousands? No. There is an industry of consultants who come in with a similar approach promising to listen and claiming that they have the ear of senior leadership. They have no positive impact whatsoever. By the time their recommendations burble up the chain, management will change, and the cycle will be repeated with the next consultant. Corporate "Safe spaces" are not real. Any manager is a representative of the company 24/7 and everything is on the record. That's direct from my company lawyer's briefing to new managers.

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Swizec 3y ago
> Corporate "Safe spaces" are not real. Any manager is a representative of the company 24/7 and everything is on the record I have had a lot of success with knowing this, saying “Great! Let’s go” and loudly complaining about things that are fucked up to anyone who will listen. This has opened a lot of doors and gotten me into a lot of meetings that I otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Sometimes it has enabled me to change things for the better. Other times it has helped me understand why things are fucked up and appreciate the constraints at play. Then I can drive the best improvements possible within those constraints so things are at least a little better. Yes it takes years of building trust and a track record of successes before you can do this. Worth the investment.
- OldGuyInTheClub 3y ago
  > Yes it takes years of building trust and a track record of successes before you can do this. Worth the investment. I built that record. The first time I gave the candid feedback that a project manager requested in an open meeting, I was off the project the next day.
  - Swizec 3y ago
    > in an open meeting Rule #0 about working with humans: You always let people save face. The improvement has to look like it was their idea, even if you planted the seed.
- StreetChief 3y ago
  I feel like this implies that for years, one must remain silent while building trust.
Aeolun 3y ago
> That's direct from my company lawyer's briefing to new managers. Just because your company is fucked up doesn’t mean all of them are. Part of the briefing to new managers at my company is how to take critical feedback.
- OldGuyInTheClub 3y ago
  > Just because your company is fucked up doesn’t mean all of them are. No, not all but exceptions are just that. > Part of the briefing to new managers at my company is how to take critical feedback. There was some of that as well. Absorb what you can, deflect what you can't, and make sure it doesn't affect the bottom line.

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Swizec 3y ago

> Corporate "Safe spaces" are not real. Any manager is a representative of the company 24/7 and everything is on the record I have had a lot of success with knowing this, saying “Great! Let’s go” and loudly complaining about things that are fucked up to anyone who will listen. This has opened a lot of doors and gotten me into a lot of meetings that I otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Sometimes it has enabled me to change things for the better. Other times it has helped me understand why things are fucked up and appreciate the constraints at play. Then I can drive the best improvements possible within those constraints so things are at least a little better. Yes it takes years of building trust and a track record of successes before you can do this. Worth the investment.

OldGuyInTheClub 3y ago
> Yes it takes years of building trust and a track record of successes before you can do this. Worth the investment. I built that record. The first time I gave the candid feedback that a project manager requested in an open meeting, I was off the project the next day.
- Swizec 3y ago
  > in an open meeting Rule #0 about working with humans: You always let people save face. The improvement has to look like it was their idea, even if you planted the seed.
StreetChief 3y ago
I feel like this implies that for years, one must remain silent while building trust.

Aeolun 3y ago

> That's direct from my company lawyer's briefing to new managers. Just because your company is fucked up doesn’t mean all of them are. Part of the briefing to new managers at my company is how to take critical feedback.

OldGuyInTheClub 3y ago
> Just because your company is fucked up doesn’t mean all of them are. No, not all but exceptions are just that. > Part of the briefing to new managers at my company is how to take critical feedback. There was some of that as well. Absorb what you can, deflect what you can't, and make sure it doesn't affect the bottom line.