Second And Park — Web Copy That Works by Tiffani Jones

At my job, I manage things. Like web design projects, communications with incoming leads, and–in some cases–real human beings. By observing others and trying out new ways of doing stuff, I’ve learned a few little tricks that, it seems, good leaders employ to get other people to do things for them.

I think these apply whether you’re the boss or the employee–good communication can make leaders out of anyone.

Don’t accidentally brainstorm

When you get excited (or stressed), it’s tempting to spew your great ideas out all over everyone. As in, “Say Bob, I was thinking about X, which got me thinking about Y, which now means A can’t equal C. And oh, that reminds me, did you see BSG last night? What do you think about Z?”

Don’t do this. There is a time and a place for soliciting random feedback about random ideas (hint: it’s when you say, “I’d like us to spend some time brainstorming. Do you have time?”). That time is not in the middle of someone else’s work day, when they don’t expect it.

If you are tempted to accidentally brainstorm on someone, sit down and take a deep breath. Collect your thoughts. Think of the question you want answered, and boil it down into something that makes sense to someone with limited time and a lot to do. Then, walk up to your coworker/employee/client and say: “Hey Bob. Do you have a minute?”

Delegate

Though it’s important to work hard when you’re trying to motivate a team or get a project done (if for no other reason than to set an example), it is NOT true that the best managers are fast-twitch, up-all-night workaholics.

In fact, I think the opposite holds: The best managers are those who know when to say when, and how to intelligently delegate tasks so the work is spread somewhat evenly, or at least logically, across a team.

The idea that good leadership requires you to ditch your personal life, drink twenty cups of coffee a day, and “really just go for it” makes me want to vom. It’s simply not true. I believe that hard work and calmness can coexist. The best managers know how to project this sense of collected persistence, and when to draw the line and give the job to someone else.

Make stuff easy to digest

The key to delegating well is explaining duties and ideas in a concise and respectful, yet thorough way. This balance is difficult to achieve, but it is possible.

Just think of what kinds of emails and to-do’s you want coming your way. When someone asks you to do something, you probably wish that they were 1) considering, even if lightly, your existing schedule, 2) giving you enough detail that you can clearly see what you need to do, 3) not giving you so much detail that you lose track of what you’re supposed to be doing in the first place.

When it comes to communicating in this way, less is more. If something doesn’t need to be said, try not to say it. Try to hold back from luxurious descriptions of what you need done, and what you’re thinking. You can still be funny, awesome, and thorough while also being respectful of others’ time.

Know your people

Some people are good for getting things done quickly. Others are good for coming up with awesome new ideas. And some are good at working hard on their own. Pay attention to who you’re managing and how they work, so that you can go to the right person for the right job. This will not only keep you from being frustrated at people (why can’t X do Y?!!!), it will help people realize, and capitalize on, their natural talents. Always a plus.

Have integrity

You gotta be a good person. Like, hands down. People look up to an honest, fair person and it’s the only way to lead, regardless of where you are on the totem pole. I don’t have much else to say about it, except that it’s unbelievably important.

There’s no crying in baseball

At the end of the day, work is just work. I once accidentally cried at work, and it was humiliating. After that, I decided there was no use in spending much time at all freaked out and frazzled, if I can possibly help it. I know there are some out there who say that if you’re passionate and into your job, you’ll be throwing yourself into it, heart and soul. Well, yes and no. If being passionate causes you to act insane (in which case you’re probably responding to stress, not passion), try backing off a little. Get stuff into perspective–work and doing well are important, but they are not the only things in your life.

If you are, on the other hand, actually passionate, you’ll probably be able to work longer hours without crying in baseball.

Make people feel good

When people feel like you like them and their work, they will be more motivated. I think this is very obvious, and yet the old-school “lead by fear” method still exists. That’s dumb as hell. The best way to get people to do what you want them to do is to entice them to trust you. What people fear/hate, they typically don’t trust. Real relationships are built on mutual respect and positive momentum, and work relationships are no different.

The kick-ass combo

I think that the best communicators and leaders are sensitive people who have a good understanding of how what they do affects others. But they are also not TOO sensitive, in that they don’t take every little thing to heart, blame themselves for every mistake, or get angry at the smallest provocation.

They are also balanced human beings, who try to make rational decisions about how their work and regular life intersect. And I’m not talking about 5pm, leave-it-to-beaver types. Even people who work 90 hours a week can be balanced, when they’ve got their priorities, according to what they want out of life, straight.