When you get into the unknown, keep in mind that “everything is figureoutable.” This mindset has helped “Jesse” succeed in a number of roles since I’ve known her. Her advice when taking on a new role or hairy project? In the first 90 days, don’t rush, really listen, make sure everyone knows they have value, and be really flexible.
Jesse is a genuinely caring leader who likes to know the bigger picture before diving into the details. She’s been put in areas that are new to her because her leadership style and clear thinking were sought for a better path forward.
We talked about what it’s like to step into a role leading others who know more than she does. She believes these three things have helped her grow.
#1 – She listens – it’s vitally important to stay open and curious. She tells her people she doesn’t know everything they do, and she’s there to learn from them and trust their expertise, so that together they can move forward.
#2 – She gets to know each of her direct reports. She believes it’s important to let them know they each have value, even the under-performers.
#3 – She’s flexible. Her mantra is “everything is figureoutable.” If mistakes are made, she says, we figure out a way to undo them and learn from it.
Jesse does something else that’s invaluable. She explains to her people how she learns. She’ll say, “Don’t talk to me about details until you’ve first helped me understand the room you’re talking about, then put the shelves in, then the books on the shelves, then tell me about the page in the book you want to discuss. Once I understand the context, I’m on board.” This is very helpful to her people, as it teaches them how she thinks and what to expect.
Jesse has learned over the years, more than anything else, to trust her inner compass, which comes from reflecting. Reflecting has been invaluable.
The bonus, she says, is: “With my trusted inner compass, I’m never lost.”
