Author Archives: NBO

Bits & thoughts from bits19: What can corporations learn from startups?

I am impressed by the deep and clear sense of purpose I heard startup founders at bits19 expressing.

Founders start with the question: “What impact do I want to make, for whom/what do I want to make a difference?” and then try to find solutions. The organization they build is a “means for the purpose”. Their vision guides their work.

People like Elsa Bernadotte perfectly incorporate that spirit. She started by asking herself the question: “How can we stop food wastage?”. Her answer: by founding the startup Karma. https://new.karma.life/ to deliver on her mission.

It’s this clarity of purpose that gives founders their incredible energy, determination and courage to work day and night – with #passion and their ultimate goal in mind.

In many bigger corporations leaders have lost this focus. We stopped asking ourselves about the collective purpose of our work and may loose sight of the collective impact we are aiming at having.

Start to think like a founder. Ask yourself: What impact do I want to make?

Impact includes the word Act

IMPACT includes the word ACT, as the founders of Bits & Pretzels – Felix Haas, Bernd Storm van’s Gravesande and Andy Bruckschloegl – pointed out during their opening speech at Bits19

“ImpActing” includes two dimensions for me:

1. “Acting” as a LEADER: Actions speak louder than words. Truly, our actions make a difference and I encourage you to “walk the talk” and take bold decisions.

2. “Being” a leader: Your mood, your attitude, your (un)conscious behaviours – they impact your surroundings, whether in a positive or negative way. You communicate, even when you don’t intend to. Silence is communication, too. You are casting a shadow – the “shadow of a leader”.

Thus: Be conscious of how you ARE in the moment, check if you are sending the messages you want – and spreading the SPIRIT needed to make a difference.

When others are the problem

The summary tip I would put on this article is as simple as this: BE EXPLICIT! What I mean by that is: SHARE EXPLICITELY.
Be explicit within your team about objectives and desired future state; be explicit on priorities within and for the team; be explicit about why you may say no or need to differ a task or challenge the deadlines.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90378467/4-common-ways-coworkers-hurt-your-productivity-and-what-you-can-do-about-it

How can you regain control of this week?

Some weeks feel a little bit “straighter” and more focused. Projects are advancing, decisions made and implemented, meetings fruitful and constructive. And there are these others (many) weeks feeling disorganised, chaotic, with too many meetings back-to-back, not enough time to stop & think, decisions beeing postponed, interruptions beeing particularly frequent. In those weeks, you feel less in control and lacking impact.
It’s mid-week today, how does this week feel sofar? What can you do to ensure key priorities are adressed? To what do you need to say NO, to what do you need to express a stronger YES, so that Friday will feel like you’ve made a difference?

Leadership = Leaders sharing Inspiration and Vision

Make this your daily objectives ! No need to wait for the yearly / quarterly national conference or Town Hall gathering. Very simple, in daily behaviors sharing vision means also STARTING WITH THE END IN MIND, eg saying :
“When
we will have closed this project /
make this decision /
sign this contract,
then
we will be in the position of… /
then xyz will be possible/
then you’ll be able to… “

So WHEN…. THEN.., that’s the formula for sharing what you see and envisage for the future.

Planning for freshness and new perspectives for a long, hot week

This week is going to be hot in many countries in Europe and metaphorically for many leaders also, given business schedules ahead.

Sunday night or monday morning will be your coolest time slot to plan your week ahead and the impact you want to make.

So, while you are enjoying coolness and overseeing this week to come, can you identify the opportunities for you to offer directions and share excitement about new perspectives and oportunities?