I used to be a bit frustrated when my manager asked me to write down my ideas, but now I get it. Writing clearly, is thinking clearly. I often have lots of 'good' ideas until they hit the paper. I've learnt that great ideas are worthless if not implemented in the proper context which requires rigorous thinking.
This is a wise realization Joseph. Writing is thinking. The reason a lot of strategy docs, proposals, pitches, etc are bad isn’t because the writing execution was bad. It’s because the underlying ideas and logic was mediocre. It’s empowering to realize that improving your thinking will improve your writing. And it works the other way too: writing can help sharpen your thinking because it reveals that you weren’t quite as sure as you thought, so you can go back to the drawing board.
For a report to develop this skill of rigorous thinking is it just asking those 4/5 questions to vet your idea or more than that . How do you get better at this skill ? Is it just the habit of asking these questions every time ?
Asking those questions is only a start. You’ll also want to be a sparring partner for your direct reports to help correct their logic, fill in gaps, and use the Socratic method to guide their thinking.
The post I needed right now. ✅️ This is who I want to be as a leader but where I often fall flat on my face because time/energy/pressure to get **it done. But you are 100% right: the upfront work pays off every time.
I totally hear you and appreciate your honesty Michelle. It’s tough to balance the pressure of needing to deliver everything your team has signed up for this quarter AND block off time to train and build a bench of future leaders. One has a baked-in sense of urgency while the other doesn’t!
I can relate to most of the points there. Having managers that talk too much and not giving a chance to anyone else in the room to think and explore ideas has lead to slow and intangible team decisions based sloley in one person.
Rigorous thinking strategies that is described on this article feels like it's speaking up for what's in employees (like myself mind) for what they long for in a manager's behaviour.
When I read Wes' questions posed at 'Part III: Questions to promote rigorous thinking' they immediately appeared to me to be the business application of Rudyard Kipling's 'Six Honest Serving Men': Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. (5WH) https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_serving.htm
When I read Wes' questions posed at 'Part III: Questions to promote rigorous thinking' they immediately appeared to me to be the business application of Rudyard Kipling's 'Six Honest Serving Men': Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. (5WH) https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_serving.htm
My 5 key takeaways on why managers & leaders ought to build cultures of "rigorous thinking":
· Promotes learning
· Counterintuitively, saves time
· Allows you to turn yellow spots into the sun
· Helps you avoid decision fatigue and get better results
· Fosters a spirit of entrepreneurialism and ownership among your team
All of these things are win-win dynamics for you and your team members.
Having seen the power of this in action from freelancing with Maven last year, this is a brilliant article to refer back to as you work on building said culture.
This is concise and valuable, not only for businesses but managing self as well. It reminds me of being pro active than reactive. Being rigorous in this context is being more investigative alert and observant. Manage well, leaders. ❤️
I definitely do rigorous thinking as a solo sport most of the time. As you become more senior, it's harder to find folks to spar with and often the decisions you're making don't have clear cut answers. So being able to think rigorously is empowering and helps you gut check your level of conviction. Thanks for being here Paolo.
I used to be a bit frustrated when my manager asked me to write down my ideas, but now I get it. Writing clearly, is thinking clearly. I often have lots of 'good' ideas until they hit the paper. I've learnt that great ideas are worthless if not implemented in the proper context which requires rigorous thinking.
This is a wise realization Joseph. Writing is thinking. The reason a lot of strategy docs, proposals, pitches, etc are bad isn’t because the writing execution was bad. It’s because the underlying ideas and logic was mediocre. It’s empowering to realize that improving your thinking will improve your writing. And it works the other way too: writing can help sharpen your thinking because it reveals that you weren’t quite as sure as you thought, so you can go back to the drawing board.
True, Wes. The more I write my Newsletter, the more I crystallize my ideas.
When applied to meetings in the workplace, this approach saves time for everyone - and also makes for happy managers
Amen ❤️
love this!
Me too ❤️
Appreciate you Marily 🙏
For a report to develop this skill of rigorous thinking is it just asking those 4/5 questions to vet your idea or more than that . How do you get better at this skill ? Is it just the habit of asking these questions every time ?
Asking those questions is only a start. You’ll also want to be a sparring partner for your direct reports to help correct their logic, fill in gaps, and use the Socratic method to guide their thinking.
The post I needed right now. ✅️ This is who I want to be as a leader but where I often fall flat on my face because time/energy/pressure to get **it done. But you are 100% right: the upfront work pays off every time.
I totally hear you and appreciate your honesty Michelle. It’s tough to balance the pressure of needing to deliver everything your team has signed up for this quarter AND block off time to train and build a bench of future leaders. One has a baked-in sense of urgency while the other doesn’t!
True that ❤️
These very useful tips – clear and practical. Sending this to people I know who needs to learn this.
taking time to improve the decision making of those around you makes your life better ;-)
Love this ! It’s very to the point
Really well articulated article 👏
I can relate to most of the points there. Having managers that talk too much and not giving a chance to anyone else in the room to think and explore ideas has lead to slow and intangible team decisions based sloley in one person.
Rigorous thinking strategies that is described on this article feels like it's speaking up for what's in employees (like myself mind) for what they long for in a manager's behaviour.
Thank you for speaking about this Wes 😊
Trying to fight the good fight Basma :]
When I read Wes' questions posed at 'Part III: Questions to promote rigorous thinking' they immediately appeared to me to be the business application of Rudyard Kipling's 'Six Honest Serving Men': Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. (5WH) https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_serving.htm
Great poem, thanks for sharing Rick
When I read Wes' questions posed at 'Part III: Questions to promote rigorous thinking' they immediately appeared to me to be the business application of Rudyard Kipling's 'Six Honest Serving Men': Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. (5WH) https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_serving.htm
My 5 key takeaways on why managers & leaders ought to build cultures of "rigorous thinking":
· Promotes learning
· Counterintuitively, saves time
· Allows you to turn yellow spots into the sun
· Helps you avoid decision fatigue and get better results
· Fosters a spirit of entrepreneurialism and ownership among your team
All of these things are win-win dynamics for you and your team members.
Having seen the power of this in action from freelancing with Maven last year, this is a brilliant article to refer back to as you work on building said culture.
Love these takeaways. Thank you Alexandra!
This is concise and valuable, not only for businesses but managing self as well. It reminds me of being pro active than reactive. Being rigorous in this context is being more investigative alert and observant. Manage well, leaders. ❤️
I definitely do rigorous thinking as a solo sport most of the time. As you become more senior, it's harder to find folks to spar with and often the decisions you're making don't have clear cut answers. So being able to think rigorously is empowering and helps you gut check your level of conviction. Thanks for being here Paolo.
Any ideas about how to facilitate rigorous thinking in others?