My other half likes to say “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” He picked the phrase up from a senior executive in his organization. So here’s my little rant for the week.
- Forget trying to find the perfect technology tool for your organization’s social media needs–you’re procrastinating. When the tool finally comes around, you’ll be so far behind it won’t help.
- Stop trying to force your old business processes onto social media tools–we’re not handcuffed by fax machines and mimeographs anymore, people. And yes, some of the processes seem that old.
- Quit scolding your fans for using the wrong phrasing, the wrong logo, the wrong approach–yeah, I know they should have talked to you first, but hey, at least they did something!
- And please, please, please quit sucking the personality out of your organization by over-producing, over-polishing, over-thinking every little detail into some kind of marketing message. It’s like dealing with Stepford Wives, and I’m over it.
Phew. Thanks for letting me get that out. I feel better. You’ll feel better, too, if you have a couple rants of your own to add.
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16 responses to "Rant Alert: Forget Perfect"
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Lindy:
Wahoo! You got your edge back!
Maybe this post should be called “How Lindy Got Her Edge Back!”
I so agree with you. Organizations, stop sucking the very energy and life out of people who support you by mandating the rules by which they must play when they talk about you or try to promote you. Organizations and its leaders that do that are nothing but “Energy Suckers” still trying to contol everything. Guess what, you never had control to start with. The customer did!
Thanks for the rant Lindy! PS…I also really like Brenden’s quote, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good!”
I do think the white gloves are a bit much!
Great post, Lindy. I’m printing that last bullet point onto a banner to hang in my office – preach the word!
Maybe we can make this a new slang term, too.
Stepford, verb
definition: To be pigeonholed into a personality type that isn’t you by a manager or supervisor.
example: “I had to remove all exclamation points and controversial topics from that last blog post. They won’t stop trying to stepford me!”
Well said. Evaluate social media tools by using them not demoing them for your board.
Great post – it hit a nerve with me. I’m with ya – I would only add two things –
1. Creative is messy. If you have a managerial bent to “clean up messes” you will stifle creativity in your staff. Stop it. If they aren’t making a mess, you aren’t making a difference. Sculpt the mess, embrace the mess, build the proper supports under the mess but above all – encourage the mess.
2. Learn to run in beta mode. Get it out and work the kinks out later. Develop your ability to adapt and let that override your fear of failure.
And to @joe and “stepford,” that totally made my day!
Shelly
Nice rant Lindy. I would add, don’t let the crappy be the enemy of the good either. Recognizing that perfection isn’t attainable doesn’t excuse a half-assed effort. And it’s not a reason to do the same thing you did last time without at least considering how it might be improved.
Also, don’t let a squeaky wheel drive you into the ditch. Don’t ignore what they’re telling you, but don’t overreact simply because the volume is turned up. A sample of one is never a good basis upon which to make a decision.
There, I feel better now.
GO LINDY–love the rant! And @joe–I think “Stepford” is destined to be the next Fogdirog! (did I spell that right? Does it matter?
Is it wrong for me to look for the little “thumbs up”?
I spend too much time on Facebook…
That’s it…let it out y’all!
@jeffhurt – down with the energy suckers! Thx for challenging me to keep my edge.
@Dennis – right on. What’s with the white gloves, anyway?!
@Joe – When the man goes all Stepford on me, I’ll go all Unhatched on them.
@Fred – OMG – now I know the key to getting your two cents is to rant like a crazy woman.
@Shelly – love “creative is messy–encourage the mess!”
@Eric – so true. No excuses…play like a champion!
@Maggie – LOL For the true spelling of Fogdirog, and if it matters, see also: http://fogdirog.com
@Lynn – I’m worried for you. ROFL. FB addiction is an epidemic. I guess if our blog was perfect, it would have thumbs up. Thankfully, we can all still muddle along without that extra feature. Funny how that works.
Thank you for this rant AND for all the comments! I’d rather do a little research, jump in and learn as I go, because I can get all sorts of feedback, insight and guidance from my volunteers on how to improve. Great way to get folks engaged and excited about what I’m doing, especially when I haven’t heard from them in a while. Plus, it shows that I’m willing to step out and try new things, and to improve.