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4 Ways to Streamline Friction: Make Grind Mode Pay Off
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Hey Reader - Several years ago, my manager tasked me with building a contract intake tool. I thought, This is a snap—I know exactly why we need it. Sure enough, I met with a developer and rattled through the long, painful background that brought us there. Jumping into building made me feel like a boss. But after listening to my 15-minute monologue, he rolled his eyes and said, "Don't automate a broken process." Ouch! In the October series, Survive Grind Mode with People Skills, we're discussing how people skills can help you power through tough sprints. I can't gloss over it—the developer's blunt feedback was a blow to my ego, making me face how I had gotten ahead of myself. Sheer enthusiasm was a positive start, but passion alone doesn't guarantee a great solution. The reality was that I wasn't connecting the dots. The problem wasn't the lack of an online tool; it was the frustration and friction of a broken process. That's when I learned that grind mode can pay off, but it hinges on doing the right work. Use Grind Mode to Build Your People SkillsDoes a critical project have you spinning in grind mode? Then take a step back from your task list and ask the million dollar question: What pain points are we solving? Easing friction is always the right problem to solve, no matter how much effort it takes. Without the answer to this question, you'll wind up grinding away on busy work. The trick is to backstop emotional intelligence with quantifiable actions—that's how to get to the heart of the matter. Here are four easy Do's and Don'ts to streamline a broken process and make grind mode work for you instead of against you: So, if you're feeling a little worn down, consider this: Grind mode work is strengthening your professional profile. In the future, you'll have practical ways to describe your problem-solving abilities, how you worked cross-group to resolve people's concerns, and became an expert at smoothing conflicting priorities. When you complete tasks with this mindset, you're sowing into your future. And above all else, don't automate a broken process. 😉 All the best, Michelle Mains Keep the Soul Boss inspiration going!
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Soul Boss Soft Skills
Don't leave your career to chance. Skill up with inspiring tips, tactics, and affirmations and become the creative, wise CEO of your life. One mail a week. Always free.
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