In his book, "Creative Selection: Inside Apple's Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs", Apple Inventor Ken Kocienda narrates a relatable story.
Ken was disappointed at not been given the managerial position after successfully delivering Safari browser project. He got an offer from Google. At this stage, his VP reached out to him and understood what made him tick and assured that he wouldn't want Ken to leave. Though there wasn't any managerial positions open at that time, he got in a new project (about making Web email work with Apple mail, which had the visibility at Steve Jobs' level).During the execution of the project, he was faced with a typical technical issue where he wasn't able to place the cursor at the right place when the user chose to reply via HTML. On surface, this seemed like an easy problem but deep within, it had various nuances that needed to be taken care of. Feeling struck, he reached out to his old manager (who over-looked him for managerial position). He suggested to seek guidance of 2 of the senior colleagues, which helped him solve the issue.
In the hindsight, his manager could have simply let his ego overtake himself and not helped him or his VP could have chosen not talk to him. None of these situations happened.
Unlike most technology decisions where you have a right answer and a wrong one, communication and people do not operate with a binary mindset.
When it comes to people, there are far many variables at play least of which are motivations, emotions, personal situations, backgrounds, context under which they are operating.
Great communicators exhibit exemplary emotional intelligence. They show situational awareness, they show empathy and maturity in not letting their egos overtake them.
What is your take/experience ?
On these lines, sharing my sketchnote of the thoughts shared by harsh goenka over twitter https://bit.ly/3i0bPpr #communication #emotionalintellegence
My Sketchnote:
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