Palus Business Consulting
  • Home
  • Endorsements
  • Client List
  • Library
  • PBC Blog
  • Contact PBC

The Power of the Professional Nag

8/31/2011

0 Comments

 
I am a professional nag. I admit it. I am sure it annoys those around me.

There are more like me. I've seen them, and I've seen those nearby roll their eyes at them. I've also seen that a team with a nag is more likely to deliver results on time and on budget. I certainly don't claim that nagging generates more creative or interesting results! In fact the opposite may be true. But unbound creativity can spin in interesting circles until the budget has exploded and the client has started a new RFP process.

So, how do you find the right balance? How to you bring enough nag to the process that you keep things on track but not so much nag that you kill the spirit and energy of the team?

I have been admonished that my nagging (which includes things like schedules, task plans, reminders, detailed goals) means that I don't trust my team. That if I trusted them I would let them run and be thrilled with the results. Interestingly, I have found that if I pull back and force myself NOT to nag, the output is rarely complete or on time. And when the milestone has passed, the players tend to ask "why didn't you remind me?" or "I didn't know that was my responsibility." 

I think everyone believes they should be allowed to problem-solve in their own way, in their own time. And maybe in a different world, we could all be painters and sculptors who wait for our muses to inspire us to cross into new creative territories. But, folks, if we need a spreadsheet completed by Thursday, do you really need space to finger paint? 

I guess I wish the professional nag was more valued. It is a skillset, and it does serve a purpose. What if, rather than being annoyed, the team could recognize the value AND the potential for pain..then set boundaries.? What if we harnessed the power if the professional nag for good?
0 Comments

    Jennifer Palus

    "Nobody wants to see sausage being made" ...and nobody wants to see all the work that goes into successful sales and marketing execution...but somebody's gotta do it!

    For more than two decades, I've worked to create the infrastucture, process, and packaging that makes a proposal or presentation sing. Whether partnering directly with a client or with an internal collegue or team, I strive to elevate deliverables in terms of format, flow, and strategic content. 

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    March 2018
    January 2017
    June 2015
    January 2015
    May 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    September 2011
    August 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    October 2010
    December 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    March 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    August 2008

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Artifactory
    Clarity
    Delegation
    Marketing
    Organization
    Perception
    Powerpoint
    Sales
    Skills
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Picture