There is a brilliant new book by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant called Option B. Sheryl, the COO of Facebook lost her husband, David Goldberg (Former CEO Launch Media and Survey Monkey), last year to a sudden heart condition. Adam teaches at The Wharton School and has written some remarkable books, especially GIVE AND TAKE, one of my favorites.
Together they wrote Option B, a book about resilience.
The book focuses on Sheryl’s personal journey and also includes many stories of others who have shown a remarkable ability to ‘bounce forward.’ The authors offer some excellent advice on how employers can support employees who are struggling with massive life losses.
Sheryl was the type of boss who would always give a direct report time and space after a tragic life event. But she learned a great lesson from how Mark Zuckerberg treated her during this period. He helped her plan her husband’s funeral but more importantly, told her; we are in this together. I’m here for you and not going anywhere. His unconditional support for her is admirable for someone running one of the world’s largest enterprises.
Other advice in the book focused on doing something specific. Don’t ask, what can I do for you – instead Sheryl learned that the best help and support was when someone wouldn’t ask but would just show up with dinner or to pick up the kids to take them to a movie.
Option B
For all of the technology deployed in small to large enterprises to increase productivity, it appears that the biggest algorithm to use is one called being a human being. Showing up. Being present. Holding someone’s hand and supporting them unconditionally. Grant, the Wharton professor, discusses several studies illustrate how a compassionate leader can increase the long-term productivity of employees by being empathetic.
One of the big lessons Sheryl learned from Adam is that things could be worse. This psychological approach helped her enormously. When Adam said told her that things could be worse, she said, “how is that possible? Dave just died.”
Adam told her that he could have suffered his heart attack while driving with their kids and she could have lost them all. Adam’s comment helped trigger in Sheryl a recognition that gratitude and perspective could be a core life lesson to help with her resilience and to move beyond the grief.
Lessons in Managing
Of all the business and marketing advice I ever give to clients and friends, showing up as a human being always seems to be the best strategy.
No, you don’t know how someone grieving feels, but by giving them a hug, you say everything you need to say.
I will always remember when my father passed away, my boss at the time was the CEO. When I returned to the office, he came to my office and asked me to tell him about my father. He did it out of genuine interest in me and to be supportive. That kind gesture of sharing his time to listen will stay with me for my entire life.
Maya Angelou had it so write. We don’t remember what people did or said, only how they made us feel.
How are you making your colleagues feel today?
Need help managing a marketing team? I offer fractional CMO/VP Marketing for a range of companies to help them get the most productivity out of their employees. I have an unusual approach. It involves showing up a human being first, and a marketing professional second. Maybe I can help? 919 720 0995 or Jeffreylynnslater@gmail.com
Photo credit: Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant, Option B – All rights reserved.
