Rob Thomas’ Post

Ambiguity might seem like a safe choice, but it’s actually a stealthy disruptor in any organization. Why do we default to it? Often, because it seems easier and offers immediate, though fleeting, comfort. Consider a scenario where a manager issues a broadly defined job description. They might think they’re avoiding the immediate burden of specifying every task. It seems easier, right? But here’s the reality: The very ambiguity that feels like a shortcut today can lead to confusion and disarray tomorrow. It’s a textbook example of gaining a little now only to lose a lot later. What’s the real fix? Embrace clarity and precision. Craft job roles with exactness so every team member understands their responsibilities from day one. Clear communication is your most powerful tool against ambiguity. Adopt it, and you’ll see your team’s confidence and effectiveness reach new heights. In the fast-paced world of business, clarity isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙊𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 We all want to get more done, but here’s the truth: 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺. Think about it.   How often do we delay progress because we’re waiting for everything to be flawless?   📍 Polishing that presentation one last time.   📍 Rewriting that email draft for the fifth time.   📍 Overthinking decisions that don’t actually need perfection.  The result? Time wasted, progress delayed, and opportunities missed.  Here’s the hack that changes everything:  🔑 𝗧𝗵𝗲 80% 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲   If something is 80% “good enough,” move it forward.  Whether it’s responding to emails, launching a project, or finalizing a plan, stop waiting for perfect conditions. That extra 20% often doesn’t add value—it just drains your time and energy.  As an Executive Virtual Assistant, I’ve seen this simple mindset shift transform how leaders work.   ☑️ Instead of endless revisions, they execute.   ☑️ Instead of overthinking, they refine on the go.   ☑️ Instead of perfection, they focus on progress.  💡 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸:   Find one task you’ve been delaying because it isn’t “perfect.”  Finish it at 80% and move on.   Notice how it feels to build momentum instead of waiting for perfection.  In a world obsessed with doing it all perfectly, 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲.  𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺? 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴—𝘐’𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴!  #JobApplicationChallengWithNwanyieze #ProductivityHacks #WorkSmarter #LeadershipTips #VirtualAssistant #MomentumOverPerfection #TimeManagement #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessSupport  #VAByMariam

➡️ If you believe that #strategicthinking is #only for #seniorexecutives, #think #again. It #can, and #must, #happen at #everylevel of the #organization; it’s one of those unwritten parts of all job descriptions. Once you’ve accepted that it’s part of your job, #focuson #developing #four #key #abilities that demonstrate your strategic prowess. ✔️ #First, routinely #explore the #internaltrends in your #dailywork, like issues that come up repeatedly. ✔️ The #second #ability is #asking #toughquestions: “What does success look like in Year 1? What could impact the outcome in a negative way? What are the early signs of success or failure?” ✔️ Next, #structure your #written and #verbal #communication in a way that helps your audience focus on the core message. Group and logically order your main points, and keep them as succinct as possible. ✔️ Finally, #maketime in your #busy #schedule for #reflection. Stop going to meetings you don’t need to attend, and block out thinking time on your calendar. At first, you may feel disoriented as you challenge your own assumptions and gain comfort with conflict and curiosity, but when you’re able to contribute at a higher level, you’ll be glad you took the risk. 👉https://lnkd.in/ePy6SeE9

This week I had the privilege of speaking for The Scalable Company on the importance of setting intentional limits! Are you pushing too hard without making real progress? It's time to rethink your approach and embrace strategic limitations for limitless growth. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Acknowledge the problem: Your current work habits aren’t sustainable and aren’t leading you where you want to go. It's time for change. 2️⃣ Define your priorities: What matters most personally and professionally? Get clear on your values and goals. 3️⃣ Set intentional limits: Decide what you won't do (e.g., working weekends, having AM meetings). Consider hiring support as well, like a Virtual Assistant, to take things off your plate. 4️⃣ Embrace your leadership style: Understand your strengths — stop conforming to external pressures. Focus on continuously growing as a leader by staying true to yourself. 5️⃣ Create limits for your company: Clarify your company's mission and core values and learn to say "no" to opportunities that don’t align with them. 6️⃣ Empower your team: Set clear expectations and model the behaviors you want to see. Delegate smartly, encourage efficient work habits, and help your team reach their full potential. 7️⃣ Review and adjust: Regularly revisit these limits as your business evolves. If you feel stuck, it’s time for new boundaries! By working smarter and intentionally implementing limits, you can achieve both business success and a fulfilling personal life. #leadershiptips #leadershipmindset #delegation #strategiclimitations #scalablecompany #businessgrowth #values

I get asked quite a lot ‘How Can You Help Me?’ 🤔 Quite simply- I help you remove the interference. I provide you with a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space, a session which allows you time to think. 💭 Running a business is full on; there are constant demands on your time and your mind! The EXTERNAL interference; Non-stop questions, an endless stream of meetings, fitting in ‘doing the do’- actually getting out there and providing quality service to your customers, balancing work and personal life… When do you get time to strategise? And who is the right person to bounce those ideas off? The INTERNAL interference; ‘What if I get it wrong?’ ‘What if I make the wrong choice and let my team down?’ ‘My brain feels like it needs to download some info and make some space!’ ‘I’m not amazing at saying no to people…’ ‘I’m new to management and not sure if I’m any good at it?’’When I’m stressed I know I don’t work effectively, I can’t think straight!’ (All of the above are real life comments I have received). This is how I help 👆🏽 I help you to remove the interference- so you can think clearly, concisely and effectively. ✨ A Director I work with recently fed back that he is ‘making key business decisions as a result of your sessions’ ✨ Exactly that 👆🏽💭✨ DM me for details on coaching packages for you and/or your team #businesscoaching #transformationalcoaching #timetothink #givingyoutime #leadershipcoaching #room11coaching #headspace #effectiveplanning #strategy #removeinterference #careercoaching #teamcoaching

🎯 Read a great article today on HBR called "6 Ways to Bring Strategy into Your Work Every Day". Here's how you can make it happen: 1. Set Clear Goals: Align daily work with long-term objectives. 2. Prioritize Wisely: Focus on activities that drive strategic goals. 3. Measure Progress: Always be reviewing key metrics and adjusting. 4. Foster Innovation: Encourage creative problem solving. 5. Enhance Collaboration: Work cross-functionally to achieve strategic aims. 6. Reflect Regularly: Review and refine your approach based on outcomes. Many companies get bogged down with daily tasks and forget that everything they do can impact whether your strategy will come to life or not. Can you clearly articulate your team's strategy? What challenges have you faced with this? Comment below. Check out https://lnkd.in/gaFaDxDn and let me know if I can help your teams bring more strategy into your everyday work. Full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSHDSZed

Practice these three steps the next time you have a difficult discussion coming up: be clear about your intention from the start, don't make the other person wait to hear it and clearly convey the urgency of your message. "That difficult conversation helped me see I was capable of being a change agent and that I had a role to play in growing the company and improving its culture," Walker writes. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4aG6EmA

Micromanagement is creativity’s worst enemy. There are many definitions for micromanagement out there, but I admire how clearly Chieh Huang describes it as “taking great, wonderful, imaginative people, bringing them into an organization and then crushing their souls by telling them what font size to use.” As you climb up the career ladder, that sense of losing control over little details and uncertainty can be a bit terrifying for you as a manager, or any decision-maker. As a perfectionist, I can understand, but not justify. I believe that you don’t just walk around hiring the first person you see in sight. You hired everyone on your team for a reason. So TRUST them to do what they know best. Communicate your vision, give clear guidance, pave the way, and be their go-to person whenever they need a helping hand. But never be the one that strips them of that little freedom and ownership they have over their work. Research supported that micromanagement doesn’t make your team more productive, but it can backfire (no joke!). For example, over-interfering with your team’s work can lead to: - Decreased productivity - Lack of creativity (and those “out of the box” ideas you’re looking for) - Sabotaging growth path - Higher retention rates - Negative work environment The only way you can fight and overcome this creativity and productivity monster is by TRUST. Choose your fighters wisely. And for god sake, sit back and relax, and just let them fight. #Creativity #Marketing #Micromanagement #Business

The High-Performing CEO: Avoiding the Panic Monster As a CEO, I've often struggled with procrastination, feeling like I perform best under pressure and deadlines. However, I've come to realize that this approach can hinder my ability to lead my organization effectively. In his TED Talk, "Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator," Tim Urban offers valuable insights into the psychology of procrastination and its long-term consequences. Urban explains that procrastinators have an "Instant Gratification Monkey" in their brains, urging them to prioritize easy and fun tasks over important, but less pleasant ones. While this may work for short-term deadlines, thanks to the "Panic Monster," it fails in situations without clear deadlines, such as building relationships, maintaining health, or pursuing long-term goals. I've discovered that relying solely on deadlines can lead to disengagement, lower performance, and diminished quality. To overcome this, I've implemented a strategy of using block time to break down tasks over time. By dedicating specific time blocks to important tasks and projects, I can make steady progress without the stress of looming deadlines. This approach has yielded significant benefits for both myself and my organization. I find that I'm more engaged with my team, as I'm not constantly putting off important conversations or decisions. My performance has improved, as I'm able to give each task the attention it deserves, rather than rushing to complete everything at the last minute. Finally, the quality of my work has increased, as I have the time to thoughtfully consider each aspect of a project. Urban's "Life Calendar" serves as a powerful reminder that our time is limited, and we must be intentional about how we use it. As CEOs, we have a responsibility to lead by example and show our teams the importance of managing time effectively. By overcoming procrastination and prioritizing what truly matters, we can create a culture of productivity, engagement, and excellence. While procrastination may feel like a natural part of our working style, it can have serious long-term consequences. By implementing strategies like block time and focusing on steady progress, we can overcome the "Instant Gratification Monkey" and lead our organizations to success. As Tim Urban reminds us, there's no better time to start than today. How are you avoiding the Panic Monster?

First Impressions : The First 7 Minutes In my 18+ years as a financial adviser, and in business, I've witnessed thousands of professional interactions. Studies have shown the real deal is often sealed within the first 7 minutes, long before any formal discussion begins. The answer isn't always in your expertise, experience, or execution. It’s in the first impression. 1️⃣ The Primal Trust Window Even in the first 40 seconds of meeting someone, your brain subconciously: - Processes 11 million bits of information - Makes over 1000 micro-judgments - Decides fundamental trust levels 2️⃣ The Trust Markers Your brain automatically detects: - Micro-expressions signalling authenticity - Voice patterns indicating confidence - Unconscious mirroring behaviours - Environmental comfort signals 3️⃣ The Reality Check - 93% of initial trust assessments remain unchanged - Forcing trust triggers defensive responses - Natural rapport can't be manufactured after the window closes Understanding this explains why some business relationships flow effortlessly while others feel constantly strained, despite perfect technical execution. 4️⃣ The Power of Presence What winning professionals don't do: - Rush into credentials - Start immediate questioning - Launch into capabilities - Focus on themselves Next time you're in an important meeting, try this: focus purely on presence for the first 7 minutes. You might be surprised how it transforms the entire conversation. What happens in your first 7 minutes? #BusinessRelationships #Leadership #Communication #ProfessionalDevelopment #Success