When you hear the word “audit” do you immediately get a bit tense and start thinking that the IRS is coming for you? Yeah. Me too.
And, yet, one of the first things that many Chiefs of Staff and Force Multipliers set out to do in their first 30 days on the job is audit the Office of the CEO or the business. The intention behind an audit is a good one – identify problems and fix them. But the effect on the team and company can be less than desirable (and reminiscent of a government regulatory body rifling through your server). Especially when you’re examining current operations, looking for what’s wrong, and jumping in and making changes too quickly without any real context or understanding.
But, it’s an easy fix! Language matters. So instead of auditing the business, reframe the activity into a listening and learning tour.
Slow down and take the time to get to know your new team members and key stakeholders before launching into your plans for change. Seek to understand each person’s role and how it fits into the overall company objectives. Listen to what people aren’t saying when they answer and ask clarifying questions. Use this information to discern the best course of action and then go on a listening and learning tour again.
Business is fluid. “Auditing” the business suggests that once you’ve completed your assessment, you can create a plan, implement it, and be done. It’s something to check off your list in the first 30 days.
But a listening and learning tour is continuous. You listen. You learn. You take action. You get feedback. You listen. You learn. You adjust. In perpetuity. That’s leadership. That is being a great Force Multiplier.
Have you done a listening tour before? What did you learn that surprised you?
– Hallie
On the Blog
What’s the Difference Between Force Multipliers & Integrators?
If you’re an entrepreneur or building a career in an entrepreneurial environment, then you have likely come across the terms Force Multiplier and Integrator. While these roles are similar in that they both work closely with a Visionary leader, they are not interchangeable. There are some key differences that are helpful to explore whether you are planning on making a hire for your business or thinking about what career path might be the right one for you. Let’s dive in.
Weekly Top 5
- The Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies just published a fantastic article about the Chief of Staff role, “The Corporate Chief of Staff: Strategic Leadership Influence From Outside the Spotlight.” This well-researched and thorough article provides findings that will be pivotal in helping aspiring Chiefs of Staff, HR professionals, and leaders better understand the role and the incredible value and impact that corporate Chiefs of Staff bring to an organization. Definitely worth the read!
- In a world of endless options, shiny objects, and the drive and desire for more, better, faster, what would it look like to do the “slow, hard, good work of staying put”? That’s what Kurt Armstrong explores in his essay, “Repair and Remain”. Is the grass really greener on the other side? Perhaps not. The grass is greener where you water it. How might this apply to our careers and businesses too?
- This Hubspot article dives into the challenges of entrepreneurship and how to overcome them. At the top of the list for entrepreneurs this year are: work-life balance, accessing capital and funding, and finding customers. Force Multipliers, this article is for you too! The more you understand the challenges your leader faces, the better you can help navigate the business landscape, find solutions, and implement change.
- If you’re not growing, you’re dying. But sometimes growth is happening so slowly it can be hard to see. Fear not! Check out these 9 hidden signs of personal growth from Sahil Bloom. My favorite might be #4 – You start feeling scared of the things you’re working on. Check! Guess I’m heading in the right direction. How about you?
- Generalists are on the rise and some might say they are the future of work. But what does being a generalist really mean and is it more advantageous to be a generalist or a specialist? Most Chiefs of Staff and Executive Business Partners are generalists, which I think is a good thing. Take a listen to this episode of the Per My Last Email podcast to get the low-down on being a career generalist.
ICYMI—The Force Multiplier Mindset
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