Thursday, August 30th, 2007...11:04 pm
Hi, My Name Is Productivity Killer
Wow, I just watched an amazing video interview of Jason Fried, President and CEO of 37Signals. I love that company.
Anyway, there is a ton of great information…but it slapped me in the face with killing productivity. I personally love walking around to the team members, seeing whats going on, providing feedback and direction…thats just what I do…often! Jason says I am an idiot. Well, not directly…watch the video.
Also, I am now leading a team that is very distributed, and is only going to get more and more distributed. Currently just over 1/2 of the team I lead is local, and the rest is across the country and International. I am always looking for ways to get better at this, and I have a lot of learning to do. 37Signals has 4 local staff in Chicago, and 4 remote…one reason I enjoy hearing from Jason for sure.
If you guys have any suggestions on how to get better at leading a distributed team I would love to learn. Oh yea, if you want to join the team…that would work as well!
(HT to Brian for the video link!)
I lead the digerati team at
10 Comments
August 31st, 2007 at 12:04 am
Terry,
Hey man. First of all, we have more than one mutual friend, Anthony Coppedge to name one. He speaks very highly of you. You and I have actually met at a C3 conference a few years ago, but you likely don’t remember. Also of potential interest, my company recently produced and implented a site for Real Life Fellowship — who is also doing the multiple and internet campus model. In fact, I believe you also know my friend, Chris Norman.
Anyway, in response to your last entry… I too am a huge fan of 37 Signals. I love their strong opinionated software… and I am a daily user of Basecamp, Highrise and Backpack myself. I’ve also read “Getting Real” twice, and I read every single blog entry they post on a daily basis. That being said… you and I both share a great deal of respect for both Jason Fried, and his accomplishment with 37Signals.
But… I would like to leave you with a word of encouragement. While I think Jason’s advice regarding interruptions is to be held highly… I think it might be perhaps a mistake if taken too far in ministry. I; like you, am personally a huge advocate of the team. I believe it’s all about the journey, and not just the end result. Jason’s primary focus is producing revenue and growing his company, and there’s nothing wrong with that most certainly. But I believe that perhaps our greatest ministry and leadership happens in the smaller and uneventful moments. I am confident that you’d also agree that our focus is so vastly different that Jason’s.
I would humbly submit that you continue on in your office visits and hallway conversations. Those are the moments that inspire your teammates to take a bullet for you if necessary. That’s where relationships and your leadership are strengthened… and so is the team. I’ve been on staff at churches in which I was leading and/or attending up to 15 meetings per week. Clearly… that was excessive. But I would encourage you to be cautious in adhering too closely to Jason Frieds advice… as his purpose is in such great contrast to ours. You’re most certainly not an idiot! Clearly far from it! LOL One of Harry Beckwith’s greatest warnings… is “Beware of the expert.” He submits… that every scientific fact always has so-called experts on both sides of the fact… Which one is right. Right? LOL
To close, and I apologize for the long response… I know this violates good manners when responding to a blog entry… I was on staff with Todd Mullins and the team at Christ Fellowship, in Palm Beach Gardens for a short while. I will never forget a message that both Todd and Tom delivered to the staff on multiple occasions… that if we could practically rip the Bible into halves… because all 66 books are really only about 2 things… and 2 things only… Our relationship with God… and our relationship with people.
Anyway, I’ve enjoyed following your blog, and I will continue to do so. You have a lot of wisdom to offer your readers… and I’ve learned a lot from you already. I would be thrilled to share some Starbuck’s sometime when our paths cross and it’s convenient. God bless.
Brian Webb
Principal | LOUD! Creative Group
August 31st, 2007 at 9:14 am
wow! watching this interview came at such a good time for me (today).
two comments that helped me focus:
- whatever gets things done is what matters to us.
- big focus on increasing our influence
love that you share this stuff!
jM
August 31st, 2007 at 9:17 am
This is so funny, because as I was watching this video about interruptions a coworker interrupted me and asked me to help him with an issue.
From a productivity stand point I like being isolated as I work. I get the most done in a dimmed room with the music blaring, I get into a groove and code my heart out. I love that! I have worked out a deal with my boss to let me work from home Monday mornings. I just get so much more done when I am relaxed and away from the office.
Right now I have my own space where I can shut my door and do this. In about a week they are going to move 6 of us into a single room. This will be good and bad. It is great for the exchange of ideas, but in my opinion, bad for actually knocking stuff out. I will at least get a window out of the deal.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:22 am
Thanks guys for your feedback and comments. Great stuff.
Hey Ryan…I will make a deal with you. Join the LC team and you can work out of your house 3 days a week!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:55 am
Very valuable insight. I always thought that Fantasy Football was the only Productivity Killer. I guess that I was wrong.
I have always enjoyed sourcing out projects to designers and developers that are out of state. This keeps me from wanting to baby them and usually delivers the best work.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:32 pm
oh man…I am a productivity killer too. dang.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Could I get the rockin title of digerati Jedi?
September 1st, 2007 at 11:14 am
[...] |ht: Terry Storch| [...]
September 1st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
We love these guys. We have been using basecamp for a little over a year.
We have been working with distributed team members for a couple of years too, and depending on the person, it can be a real advantage. (especially with the Florida housing market…I cant afford to pay people enough to buy a house here!)
September 1st, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Oh yeah…can I come be part of your team too? I want to be a dig-er- ROD-i.
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