Zero-Cost Vulnerability
Take the Manager Out of Management
Introduction
As Prince Myshkinder, the CEO of a thriving software company, I recently experienced a breakthrough in management and employee coaching. It all started with a simple experiment using ChatGPT to prepare for a 100-day review discussion with a team member. The results were eye-opening, and it led me to think about the role of vulnerability in the workplace. In this blog post, I'll share my experience and explore the idea of vulnerability in more detail, discussing its upside and downside.
The Experiment
I used ChatGPT to generate a list of questions and a multi-dimensional scoring rubric for my team member's review. I asked him to lead the conversation using the guide I provided. To my surprise, the whole process went exceptionally well, and there was something distinctly different about it. It felt right. This led me to wonder if I could recreate this experience in a way that could scale.
Here's the exact prompt I used for the experiment:
It’s time for my weekly performance review. You’re my manager.
Please do the following:
1. Ask me about my job, its responsibilities, and anything else required for you to know how to customize the discussion.
2. Ask me questions about my performance in key areas given my job and responsibilities.
3. Based on my answers, give me an overall report card, judging my performance along every important dimension on a scale of A - F (like school report card).
4. Write a prioritized list of high leverage areas to focus on.
5. Build an implementation plan for me.
Ask me questions one-by-one so that it’s easy for me to answer bit-by-bit. When we’re done, summarize the entire interaction into a 400-word summary.
This should take about 10 minutes.
The outcome was a personalized action plan that I found useful and motivating. Here’s an excerpt:
Based on your answers, here is your overall report card:
Leadership and Communication: B+
Strategy Development and Execution: B
Stakeholder Relationships: B
Now let’s move on to prioritizing high leverage areas to focus on:
Improve setting specific expectations for team members.
Optimize product priorities to accelerate Project X (a new feature).
Enhance “land and expand” tactics for large accounts.
Increase adoption of the integration charter framework and customer scorecard framework.
Adjust the balance between product differentiation and growth efforts.
Implementation plan:
Develop a clear framework for setting and tracking individual expectations for each team member.
Revisit product priorities and allocate resources effectively to ensure timely completion of Project X.
Create a task force or working group to analyze and refine “land and expand” strategies for large accounts.
Conduct training sessions and provide support for the integration charter framework and customer scorecard framework to boost adoption.
Gradually shift focus towards growth by allocating more time to stakeholder engagement and business development efforts.
After sharing this experiment, six other team members tried the same prompt, and the reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Everyone liked the feedback, felt heard, and enjoyed the process. It seemed as if the experience provided the upside of vulnerability without the cost.
Vulnerability: The Upside and Downside
In many aspects of life, vulnerability is a double-edged sword. It has the power to bring about great things like love and transformation, but it can also come at a high cost. Opening up to others can be a catalyst for personal growth, but it can also leave us exposed to judgment and criticism.
In the workplace, vulnerability is essential for fostering trust and collaboration among team members. It allows employees to feel safe enough to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of ridicule or retribution. However, vulnerability can also lead to feelings of insecurity or self-doubt, which can inhibit productivity and innovation.
The Zero-Cost Vulnerability Solution
So, what made our ChatGPT experiment so successful? Why did it provide the benefits of vulnerability without the drawbacks? I believe there are three main reasons:
Answering one question at a time made the process easy and approachable, like walking on a treadmill.
The participants felt heard, as the AI synthesized their input and provided personalized feedback.
The experience was private, allowing each team member to be vulnerable without the fear of judgment.
In many ways, this experiment was like looking into a mirror in the privacy of your own home, rather than being stared at by others. The feeling of safety and anonymity provided by the AI allowed team members to open up and engage in an honest self-assessment that ultimately led to actionable insights.
Take the Manager Out of Management?
The success of this experiment raises a crucial question: is it time to take the manager out of management? While AI can't replace the human touch entirely, it demonstrates the potential for integrating AI-powered tools into management and employee coaching processes.
By leveraging AI, we can create a safe space for vulnerability and self-assessment, leading to personal growth and improved performance. This zero-cost vulnerability approach can encourage employees to be more open and honest, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive work environment.
The Transformation of Management and Coaching
As we continue to explore the applications of AI in management and coaching, we must keep in mind the delicate balance between vulnerability and security. By doing so, we can create an environment where employees feel empowered to grow and thrive, paving the way for a bold new path in the future of management and employee coaching.