Do your thing
My nightmare of company culture is an organization where people operate based on what they think their boss thinks is right. It’s what I call a “pleaser-culture.”
Critical thinking, and with it, first-principles thinking is one of the core pillars of innovation. An organization that trains its people to simply execute on the thoughts, ideas, and decisions of the top is an organization that limits its talent to only do what’s expected. But the main reason to hire top talent is that they can do more than what’s expected of them.
I have strong opinions, but that doesn't mean I should tell people what I think about everything they do. As a manager, it’s easy to fall into the trap of always giving your two cents when asked. When you always do it, people might stop applying their own critical thinking or taking accountability.
Being directive not only diminishes critical thinking, but it limits the potential to overachieve.
Not everyone is a natural decision-maker. Making decisions comes with accountability for those decisions, which can feel like an uncomfortable risk to take. But accountability can be as empowering as it is uncomfortable.
An easy tool to push people over the hump to take that accountability is what I call “DYT.”
DYT
Often when people ask me to make a decision, I simply respond with “DYT,” which stands for “Do Your Thing.”
What I mean by this is that I implicitly trust the individual to make a decision that aligns with our objectives and company principles, and moreover, take accountability for making that decision.
At its surface, hearing “DYT” may seem like a brushoff, but it is actually a strategic decision to build a culture of autonomy and accountability.
When you receive a DYT, it’s easy to think the manager doesn’t care, but it’s actually a signal of trust. You were hired because you’re one of the best people to do the job, which means you are most likely more than capable of making the decision yourself. It’s recognizing that you don’t need my input. You know already what to do and only need a push to have the confidence to do it.
DYT is that little push, and it comes with accountability. It’s a simple action that empowers people and allows them to grow.
Looking to do your thing? Public.com is hiring: See open roles.
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