Tag: Managing people

Being CEO

Knowing what you don’t know

Chris Labs

This is a rare trait in a boss. When Dennis Swanson became the head of ABC Sports, something he had never done. He could have showed a kind of fake authority or knowledge. But if Dennis was asked something he didn’t know, he would say “he didn’t know” and turned to Robert and others for help. He often asked Robert, his #2, to take the lead in conversation with higher management -The Ride of a Lifetime, p.28 Continue reading Knowing what you don’t know

Learnings

How to get a proper Timeframe from employees.

Chris Labs

Instead of asking, when will XYZ be done? To which everyone is uncomfortable answering. Too short and I will run out of time. Too long and the boss will be unhappy. Ask instead: At what date would we be shocked if XYZ had not happened yet? What is the soonest we would be surprised to start seeing tangible results from XYZ? -I can’t remember the source but it was from a guest on MFM Continue reading How to get a proper Timeframe from employees.