Below is an archive of every blog post shared through this site since 2010. For posts by topic, check out articles on marketing, leadership, and building new products.
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I often get asked, “Did thing X happen organically? Or did you plan for it?”
The answer is usually both.
You can’t force people to do a behavior. I imagine this is what producers say about reality TV.
You can, though, be ready to capture those moments when they happen.
So for most questions about why something took off and how word of mouth spread, the answer is: we probably encouraged it.
Read MoreYour ability to answer questions well is a competitive advantage.
Given the number of times you are asked questions every day, this is a highly leveraged way to show your credibility.
When you think about “the question behind the question,” you'll feel more confident answering questions. And your audience will feel more satisfied with your reply.
First, what does “the question behind the question” mean?
Read MoreWhen someone says they are open to feedback, it does not mean you should share all of your frustrations.
Contrary to popular belief, this is not your chance to express how you feel.
A feedback conversation is actually a sales conversation. To empathize with what matters to them. Then craft your message around that.
It’s a chance to understand what is most likely to motivate the specific person you’re speaking with.
In other words, it’s an opportunity for behavior change.
Read MoreBosses are frustrating creatures.
They want you to take the lead… But when you do, they micromanage.
They say, “Ask me questions any time!” But they also say, “Can you try to figure it out on your own?”
They say they don’t want status updates. Then they come by your desk frantic asking what you’ve been doing for the past two weeks.
Basically, they want you to read their mind. Which isn’t great for you, because mind-reading is hard.
Luckily, there’s a workaround which is pretty darn close. And that is the skill of managing up.
Read More“Don’t try to market to everyone.” By now, this advice is obvious. We know we can’t appeal to everyone.
But what if you feel like your product really is for everyone? Where do you start?
One way to narrow down your focus is to think about your customers as concentric circles on a bullseye. In the center of the bullseye are your core customers. These are people who are die-hard fans, who completely “get it.” They are excited you exist.
Start by marketing to them, then expand outwards. This is especially valuable if you have limited resources and bandwidth.
Read MoreIn the movie Inception, the characters debate whether it’s possible to plant ideas in people’s heads.
Can you make them think YOUR idea was THEIR idea to begin with? 🤔
LOL. Anyone who has ever worked in an office knows the answer is YES.
Inception is 80% of what “leadership without authority” is. Lao Tzu said it best: “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”
All those times your manager agreed to your idea because they thought it was their idea? That was inception.
Now that we agree inception is real, be mindful of the ideas you’re planting. Why? Because the issues you shine attention on will influence what your audience thinks about. And ultimately, whether they agree to your idea.
What you spend time on gets aggrandized--which means you might accidentally turn a non-issue into an issue.
Read MoreEarly in my career, I worked with some of the smartest people at the Gap headquarters in San Francisco. I was bright-eyed and excited to be there, so I’d spend time after work putting together “trend boards” about styles that were trending in the market.
“I’m seeing a lot of high-end designers using plaid.”
“Leggings sales have been steadily going up while pants sales stayed constant.”
“A lot brands are beginning to offer activewear this year.”
I would pat myself on the back when I pointed out an insight. I thought everyone else would pat me on the back too.
This wasn’t the case.
Read MoreYou and I rarely have enough leverage to get something done all by ourselves.
I know, I know. Sometimes, it would be a lot easier if you could use your sheer willpower to push things through. (Believe me, I’ve tried.) But the reality is, we live in an interconnected world and we need other people's cooperation to make change happen.
Having cooperation and support from stakeholders is a game-changer. It means more momentum for your project. More confidence and speed. More energy spent doing great work you're proud of. And a lot less worrying.
Read MorePeople tend to shoot the messenger but there are ways to avoid the negative halo of bad news. If you have to deliver bad news that wasn't your fault, here are tips to keep in mind:
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