The Not-So-Subtle Art of Getting Shit Done
Organizational Efficiency Requires Executive Champions of Doers
This past week, I quietly celebrated an entire year with the company I joined last February. And whoah, what a year it has been. Like many of you, I’ve witnessed the business environment shift from the great resignation to the great termination seemingly overnight. I’ve had peers and colleagues impacted by tech sector layoffs that have been very deep in cuts depending on the org. It’s been jarring, to say the least—and I know what it feels like to be impacted since it happened to me during month four of the Pandemic back in 2020.
The current business climate has me thinking about getting shit done—both what it takes from a personal perspective as well an organizational one. I recently took on more responsibility in my day job, now leading marketing while still supporting some customer/partner initiatives. "Do more with less”, seems to be the reality of life in tech right now, especially if you’re in the startup world as I currently am. But what I am realizing is that—it is possible, especially if you can redefine “more” and have the support of the people above you.
In my case, I re-defined “more” as less, so we could start doing things that had the potential for greater impact even with a leaner operation. Fortunately, the leadership team agreed with this vision, and I built some equity in my previous role to demonstrate that focused effort works.
Busy Isn’t Always Good For Business
The subtle art of getting shit done is built on a solid foundation that separates busy work from work that helps build the business. Companies like Meta have proclaimed that they are turning their massive ship toward the tides of efficiency—but they will now have to confront how they’ve hired until this point. Large organizations often don’t hire to get shit done but instead hire what they perceive as the most intelligent/most talented/pedigreed candidate. Meta often hires from proven peers like Google and vice-versa. Advanced degrees are another way organizations evaluate talent and intelligence. The more prestigious the credential—the better the candidate must be…
But an inconvenient truth of the corporate world—especially more bloated environments is that it rewards and incentivizes “busy work.” The more output, the better, right?
Not if it’s the wrong output.
Also, it’s no secret that the larger the organization—the more political and bureaucratic. I’ve met too many senior executives in my career whose primary talent wasn’t getting shit done but rather self-preservation. There are exceptions—and those are exceptional leaders. But far too many excel at navigating political scenarios vs. getting shit done.
Diplomacy Gets Shit Done
In reality, all organizations are political—even small ones. But we shouldn’t conflate self-preservation-related politics with diplomacy as they are not the same. Diplomacy helps get shit done because it prioritizes all levels of collaborators needed to move the needle. Diplomacy means understanding the needs and context of different stakeholders and managing potential conflict before it gets to that point. It’s also treating teams, peers, managers etc., with respect and dignity.
Dignity is one of our greatest human motivators. When people are treated with dignity, they tend to operate from good places. When they aren’t—resentment festers and bad behavior breeds.
Resentment is the enemy of getting shit done.
The golden rule of getting shit done is similar to the golden rule in life—do unto others. Without motivated teams, peers, and even managers, the quantity and quality of the shit we want to get done is limited.
I recently reflected on the underrated aspect of good governance. It’s the boring, behind-the-scenes toils that make shit happen. We only notice governance when things don’t work, and by then, it becomes challenging to implement plans that get the right kinds of shit done. So here’s to the ones who do and the ones who champion these efforts. It all starts with giving a shit in the first place. When people care—they are invested, and that gets others invested.
And that is how a lot of shit gets done.
Hello David. Thanks for posting getting things done - or as I call it "hustle." You are correct that organizations are doing more with less. This is due to flattening the management structure, automation and firing more experienced people for cheaper people out of school.
Senior people do have to do more "deliverables" and play in several roles in sales, SME, and operations. Most companies do not have good governance and are run in the "due and do" model. Efficiency usually gets reduced to "resources" and piling work on cheaper labor who seemingly gets "s***" done. You are right for most organizations, it is the wrong work, delivering the wrong value, and is usually done at the last minute with people who do not have the skills to do things at the last minute.
I am not hopeful about most organizations ability to create a healthy and competitive work culture because failure is all around us. I am glad you have found it with your organization.