Enthusiasm is a drug. Some people don’t have it, others have lots of it. Either way it can be contagious and powerful.
When it comes to making sound business decisions sometimes enthusiasm can become overpowering and cause the brain to not be as considered as it normally is.
I am the last one to want to dampen down someone’s enthusiasm as I think it brings an energy to a team.
However, as a leader I do need to make sure that we are making the right decisions based on the right information.
The decision could be regarding a project, a pitch or future R&D.
To do this, my litmus test is based around 3 C’s. Capable, Credible and Commercial.
Are we capable? Quite simply do we have the stills to do the task?
Are we credible? Would a client be comfortable that we can deliver? Is it based of an existing tech platform we have? It is an adjacent or parallel channel to ones we currently work in. Can we show current work or a simple Proof of concept?
Is it commercial? Do we know who would buy it? Do we understand the pricing model? Can we make a margin? What is the ROI?
By involving the most enthusiastic team members in the discussions, I ensure that I am not taking them off the drug, just helping them make the right decisions.
by Richard Wright
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