As boss, how do we ask our team members “can you see to it?” without sounding hard-pressing and controlling? Getting things done, it’s so hard to seek team members to follow-through, isn’t it.
Try “c2it”; a mental model that I created for sharing with team members what “see to it” specifically means. It stands for “confirm, communicate, dot the i’s, cross the t’s.”
Communicating the intent of “c2it” with specifity does the trick of not triggering the recipient of the message from feeling pressured, dictated and controlled. It’s a lesson from a cognitive bias called “fundamental attribution error”: we tend to take things personally when pressured, but if it’s a specific ask we can handle things better.
“Okay great, can you “c2it?” This one is going to be a pretty intricate coordination between the customer and the team, so appreciate it if you can reconfirm the plan with the customer and dot the i’s and cross the t’s with the team so that nothing gets lost in translation? Super, thanks!”
It might sound elementary but prudence is often about basics. Give “c2it” a try for clarity on follow-through.
If this resonated
Mental models are a curious kind of tool, fast and slow at once. They are useful in the instant, yet they also quietly open a space to reflect. That's why learning through mental models tends to stick. If you would like more like this, here are some ways to stay connected.
Subscribe for Updates
Joining the Mental Model Dōjō learning community is free. Agile Organization Development, managed by Lifecycle Pte. Ltd., is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you requested from us. From time to time, we would like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit, you consent to allow Lifecycle Pte. Ltd. to store and process the personal information submitted.
Join Our Next Dōjō Session
Come learn in the open. Coach Takeshi shares what he is picking up from live client work, and tests new mental models with the community. Check the next session and reserve your spot.
Follow Us
Drop Us a Note
