I have had trouble with this in my team. Often my genuine critique has been interpreted as 'negative' or not from an 'opportunity mindset'. In general, if someone wants to raise a point but doesn't have a solution (yet), is the advice to keep quiet until they do? It implies "don't bring me problems, bring me solutions", but if we're a team working together, isn't it on us *all* to bring the concerns and address the problems?
It also depends on what the response to that point is. If the response stops at "Do you have a solution?" it is not helpful. But if the response is "Who/What can we involve to find a solution?" then it becomes helpful. Sometimes it is really helpful for a group to explicitly ask for ideas and suggestions.
These kinds of corporate neologisms are corrosive to thinking. Often times it's less about fostering a good mindset, and more about forcing a mindset onto people. Sometimes raising an issue is just as important as solving it. It's possible to recognize a problem and not be able to provide a solution. Raising the problem gives those with the ability to solve but not find it the awareness they need to fix it.
Thank you! I literally was googling "stockholm school of ethics" and "ethics where doing something about a problem makes you responsible for it", no dice haha
Reminds me of the quote by Roosevelt - “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
I don't think I disagree with any of this, but would add to it that so I've had tech-side folks say many times that they wished my department raised more issues, because they have no idea what's going on with stuff after it ships. Maybe this is nothing more than reaffirming that context always matters.
If someone is requesting more information or to be included in the feedback loop (raise more issues), what specific information would be helpful for them? And what’s the plan for ensuring they get that information?
The dislike button is something I wouldn’t put a lot of energy into. You have zero information on what they dislike. Is it the length, the lighting, the font, the script, the editing? It tells you nothing about how you could improve or actually consider their opinion.
This reminded me of my friend Tina. A chronic complainer. And then, she left and I became that chronic complainer. One thing I noticed when I displayed low agency was a simultaneous lack of belief. My lesson was to work on my belief.
I’m a huge fan of Michael Allosso’s idea that we should endeavor to always be truthful, specific and positive. If we just hit those three marks we all win! Complaining with out a solve is not positive. Worse, it’s lazy. It could be almost bullying. It’s certainly toxic. And it is safe to say the complainer is exhibiting a lack of courage (surety they have a solve).
Really enjoyed this. As someone who has stopped myself a lot from continuing to make something or trying more things because of the feedback, this puts things into a little more perspective. I appreciate the fact that you gave a piece of practical advice which is to give someone else permission to implement their own comment. This is why i am a big fan of open source. If you find something the issue or want to improve on it, you can comment yes but also take the responsibility of making it better yourself and gain huge satisfaction.
Yes! I’m from the Midwest snd we have a saying, “skin in the game.” The value us with people engaged and actually trying to solve the problem vs. admiring it, or pontificating over it.
I have had trouble with this in my team. Often my genuine critique has been interpreted as 'negative' or not from an 'opportunity mindset'. In general, if someone wants to raise a point but doesn't have a solution (yet), is the advice to keep quiet until they do? It implies "don't bring me problems, bring me solutions", but if we're a team working together, isn't it on us *all* to bring the concerns and address the problems?
It also depends on what the response to that point is. If the response stops at "Do you have a solution?" it is not helpful. But if the response is "Who/What can we involve to find a solution?" then it becomes helpful. Sometimes it is really helpful for a group to explicitly ask for ideas and suggestions.
> opportunity mindset
These kinds of corporate neologisms are corrosive to thinking. Often times it's less about fostering a good mindset, and more about forcing a mindset onto people. Sometimes raising an issue is just as important as solving it. It's possible to recognize a problem and not be able to provide a solution. Raising the problem gives those with the ability to solve but not find it the awareness they need to fix it.
On footnote 4: you’re thinking of the Copenhagen interpretation of ethics. From https://blog.jaibot.com/the-copenhagen-interpretation-of-ethics/
Thank you! I literally was googling "stockholm school of ethics" and "ethics where doing something about a problem makes you responsible for it", no dice haha
Reminds me of the quote by Roosevelt - “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Most people are consumers, very few have the tenacity, patience and perseverance to create.
I don't think I disagree with any of this, but would add to it that so I've had tech-side folks say many times that they wished my department raised more issues, because they have no idea what's going on with stuff after it ships. Maybe this is nothing more than reaffirming that context always matters.
If someone is requesting more information or to be included in the feedback loop (raise more issues), what specific information would be helpful for them? And what’s the plan for ensuring they get that information?
I received my first dislike on my YouTube video today, very timely that this post came across my Twitter feed!
The dislike button is something I wouldn’t put a lot of energy into. You have zero information on what they dislike. Is it the length, the lighting, the font, the script, the editing? It tells you nothing about how you could improve or actually consider their opinion.
This reminded me of my friend Tina. A chronic complainer. And then, she left and I became that chronic complainer. One thing I noticed when I displayed low agency was a simultaneous lack of belief. My lesson was to work on my belief.
I’m a huge fan of Michael Allosso’s idea that we should endeavor to always be truthful, specific and positive. If we just hit those three marks we all win! Complaining with out a solve is not positive. Worse, it’s lazy. It could be almost bullying. It’s certainly toxic. And it is safe to say the complainer is exhibiting a lack of courage (surety they have a solve).
100% agreed. Ok to complain as long as afterwards you fix the issue.
If you complain and do nothing about it, you are part of the problem.
If you complain and do something - anything - about it, you are part of the solution.
Really enjoyed this. As someone who has stopped myself a lot from continuing to make something or trying more things because of the feedback, this puts things into a little more perspective. I appreciate the fact that you gave a piece of practical advice which is to give someone else permission to implement their own comment. This is why i am a big fan of open source. If you find something the issue or want to improve on it, you can comment yes but also take the responsibility of making it better yourself and gain huge satisfaction.
Yes! I’m from the Midwest snd we have a saying, “skin in the game.” The value us with people engaged and actually trying to solve the problem vs. admiring it, or pontificating over it.