1+1=3
One of the fascinating things about teamwork is that it can multiply good things. Not only productivity and creativity, but also joy--that elusive yet essential condition of the heart. I wrote about joy recently, drawing from a humorous latte-slurping episode with my wife. It's delightful to not be alone at home and in marriage; it's also wonderful to not be alone in work. True teamwork generates and safeguards joy.
Pavel Reid and I have been close friends for twenty years. He's been an informal, strategic business advisor to me. What's more, he's helped me through some very dark times in work through encouragement and counsel. At times I've had occasion to reciprocate. But it's always been by way of advice, not direct collaboration. Though I did report to him for a few months before resigning! (Not because of him.)
This all changed last week. I'm delighted to hereby announce that Pavel has become the first consultant to join my fledgling team at Kyle Neilson Consulting. Some of the things I look forward to.
Creating Clarity. We had a hilarious though productive first "Friday debrief" conversation last week over the phone. I was driving, a teen daughter accompanying (and contributing!). After discussing some tactical matters related to Pavel's onboarding, we talked about our bourgeoning company culture and strategy. We quickly realized that something like "constructive playfulness" marks both our friendship and our best work, and is something we want in our client work. We created some clarity and will create more. Clarity generates and safeguard joy.
Meetings. Don't tell my clients(!), but until last week I wasn't in regular team meetings, because I wasn't really on a team. Highly ironic since we preach meetings! Lots of good ones. (Sparing you the details, there were actually lots of good reasons for this omission, none the fault of my mentor and former colleague Keith Borchers!) Pavel and I will be meeting regularly: quarterly full-day off-sites, regular ad hoc strategic meetings, weekly tacticals--the ~full Lencioni cadence. This will help our operation, help us help our clients through living the disciplines we preach, and be a lot of fun. We have an internal metric that 10% of our meeting time must involve laughter. Good meetings generate and safeguard joy.
Holding each other accountable. Historically, Pavel and I enjoy lively, far-ranging conversations. We're both Wonderers in the Working Genius framework. A correlated shared fault is over-Wondering by sometimes going down topical rabbit holes in our enthusiasm; in my part this often involves interrupting him! But we know this and will hold each other accountable to better discipline. I know it will help me a lot. Feedback of this kind generates and safeguards joy.
So here's to working with friends, and to the multiplying effect of real teamwork. I'm looking forward to the adventure. Pavel, my friend, welcome aboard and enjoy!
P.S. If you do work with friends, submit the arrangement to wise counsel! Friendship is too precious a thing not to protect from business mishaps.