“A great way to be significantly more productive, is to start anything you’re about to do with one question:
What does a wildly successful outcome for this meeting, project, conversation — whatever it might be — look like?
If you ask that question up front you co-create success, because everyone involved knows what you’re shooting for and can actively works towards making it happen.”
A question: Why wouldn’t you want a wildly successful outcome? Why wouldn’t you want a wildly successful outcome for every other person involved?
When you plan to interview a writer for an article and normally would have said something like, “I’m looking for five or six tips readers can use to be more productive.”
That’s fine… but it’s also pretty bland. And it sets up the interview to be pretty bland. You don’t sound enthusiastic, and you don’t sound into it.
You should have answered the question by saying, “I’d love to get five or six great tips that small business owners can use to really supercharge their day. Not just to get more done but to feel great about themselves — to feel more efficient, more effective, more in charge. I’d love to get five or six great action steps that readers will immediately be excited to try, and I know you’re the perfect person to supply them.”
Why should I have answered that way? Because that’s what I really wanted.
Suddenly it wouldn’t have been just any old phone call. Suddenly it wouldn’t have been just any old conversation to have and check off the calendar. Your excitement would have been flattering. Your enthusiasm would have been infectious. Then you would have had a real purpose. Together you would have tried to create something great.
To be more productive and truly engage other people, always start with that one question:
What does a wildly successful outcome for this conversation — or this meeting, this project, this sales call, etc. — look like?
Don’t start anything until you know the answer.
You can share your views with us at Pathfinders. We regularly share amongst our clients. Please join us.
Suresh Shah, M.D., Pathfinders Enterprise