Tag Archives: slaying the dragon

Reality Check

“We started this discussion because I signed off on a project that my team leader believes cannot be done,” Ryker explained. “We identified that, as a manager, I had some self doubt, that perhaps the ringleader might be right.”

I nodded.

“We determined that I had to deal with my own self doubt before I face the team leader,” Ryker continued. “We determined that only after I dealt with my own demons, could I make headway with the team.”

I nodded again. “And, to make headway with the team, what do you have to pay attention to?”

“I think I have to pay attention to the demons each team member has, including the demons the team leader has,” Ryker replied. “I think we have to have a reality check.”

I smiled. “We talked about awareness, we talked about preparation. You have added reality checking.
Reality checking is valuable, especially in the midst of doubt. But, people don’t like to reality check under pressure. So, when do you want to do this reality checking? Before the project gets started?  In the middle of the project when you are already behind schedule?  Or at the end of the project when you have missed the deadline?”

“I think we have to slay the dragon of self doubt first, before the project gets started,” Ryker said. “I know it will take some time, but if we tackle the project with the mindset of self doubt, we will struggle with the obstacles inside the project.”

“Sometimes we have to go slow, so later we can go fast.”

Which Dog Do You Feed?

“I have a dog that thinks, as a manager, that I am an imposter. And, I have a dog that believes I am NOT an imposter. I know which dog to feed. What do I feed the dog?” Ryker wanted to know.

“Attention,” I replied. “It’s not the food, it is the act of feeding. You get what you pay attention to.”

“Okay,” Ryker said. “But, I am still stumped.”

“Make a list. What does a manager do?” I asked. “A manager who is not an imposter?”

“You said awareness, that’s one,” Ryker had a start. “We have talked about preparedness. I have to prepare.”

“Prepare for what?”

“I have to prepare for anything, because I don’t know what obstacles there are,” Ryker concluded.

“And, how do you find the obstacles that are there?”

“I find them. I look for them. I aggressively go out in search of them, instead of waiting for them to appear.”

“And, why do you do that?” I smiled.

“Because I am not an imposter,” Ryker smiled back.