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Aaron Schmookler

Producer And Host at Mighty Good Work Podcast

Highlights

Aug 31 · linkedin

Leaders: Don't get comfortable.

Joyful... Yes!

Comfortable... No.

I remember when I inherited my first team.

Their previous manager did not like problems.

He preferred, "Mary had a little lamb," with his fingers in his ears.

So the team learned not to tell him about problems.

And he was comfortable that way.

There were serious problems with inventory.

Facilities were in subtle (but serious) disrepair.

At first, I didn't know. I was new.

I was comfortable relying on the team. They seemed to know what they were doing. And their status reports were "nominal."

Then I started seeing the cracks in the veneer.

I asked, "What's going on here?"

When I asked these questions, I heard:

😯 "Jack said, 'Leave it.'" 😯 "Am I in trouble?" 😯 "It's always been like that." 😯 "We don't have the budget."

And on and on.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

~ "Jack didn't want to hear it." ~ "Jack yelled... Sometimes at us. Sometimes about 'them.'" ~ "It never did any good."

What I learned... I had to dig and delve, encourage and reward.

And eventually, they learned I really did want to hear about problems.

In the 20 years since, I've learned...

PROBLEMS ARE.

If I'm not hearing about them, there's trouble brewing.

Now, I'm not comfortable.

Problem?

Thanks for the hit of joy.

What can we do to make this even better?

♻️ Repost if this helped or inspired. 🔔 Follow me, Aaron Schmookler, for more. 👇 Learn legendary Teamification.

Aug 30 · linkedin

We train leaders to ASK before giving feedback. Here's why...

You may object... "I can't ASK if I can give them feedback. It's my job to give them feedback!"

I agree. It's your job. And sooner or later, you WILL give them feedback.

And... I'm still going to suggest... Ask for permission.

You may have heard of the "COIN" model for giving feedback.

You've never heard it like this.

Related Questions

Which podcast does Aaron Schmookler produce and host?
Where did he earn his Master of Fine Arts in Theater?
What teaching roles has he held in schools?
Which organizations has he worked with in sales, coaching, or real estate?
Aaron Schmookler
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Experience

Producer And Host at Mighty Good Work Podcast
Real Estate Consultant at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Education

Oakland School For The Arts
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Master Of Fine Arts In Theater, University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Bachelor Of Arts In Theater, Acting, Oberlin College

Location

Seattle, Washington, United States