The method of success…
Evidently I have the Kavorka — the lure of the animal. Fortunately or not, it attracts men with more salt than pepper looking to rid the next generation of repeated mistakes. These men ask direct, pointed questions and expect — nay, demand — thoughtful, honest, authentic, direct responses. They are allergic to bullshit and have a fondness for deflating egos.
I sat with a Gray Hair yesterday who was open, listening intently as I sang my rehearsed song. I sang a song he hears regularly, so he saved us both the trouble of the second verse. He asked me a series of short, very intentional questions. After the third question, we both knew that the my answers weren’t to par. Ego deflated.
“What’s your method of success? he asked. I realized that my response was about my past success and the battles I had won. I answered with my resume, but that wasn’t the question he was asking. He had taken the question to the meta-view of ‘how’ the battles had been won, essentially asking ‘can you repeat it? Here. Now.’ Knowing what makes me effective increases my chances for success. I can better avoid opportunities where I am not effective and articulate what is needed in order to be successful.
The meta-view addresses questions that lead to repeatability.
When I am at my best, what is the context?
What do I need around me in order to be most effective?
When I am at my best, the gain is… and the cost can be…
I’ve done my job (and know it’s time for me to move on) when…
My best teams share the following characteristics…
I’m grateful for men that make me better. A sword is intended for battle and I’m grateful for the bladesmith that knows when to dip into the fire and when to dip into the water. I’m grateful for men that understand when to apply the friction of the whetstone and when to sheath the blade.
…now off to battle.