The Widget is the Salve, Balm and Lotion for Every Ill.

"Purpose and principle, clearly understood and articulated, and commonly shared, are the genetic code of any healthy organisation.  To the degree that you hold purpose and principles in common among you, you can dispense with command and control.  People will know how to behave in accordance with them, and they'll do it in thousands of unimaginable, creative ways.  The organisation will become a vital, living set of beliefs." -

Dee Hock
CEO Emeritus, Visa International

Define your Widget!

Imagine whatever your employer produces is a car. What part do you contribute on the assembly line?  What is your metaphorical nut, bolt, wheel, axel, driveshaft, transmission, piston, engine..?

Go and ask your boss. Say: 'Boss - what do you rely on me to do so that you can do  your job?' (Be prepared for your boss not to answer straight away.)

Define your Widget!

Widget clarity is the answer to EVERYTHING!

Feeling disengaged? Instant re-engagement happens the moment you start thinking about what your Widget is.

Feeling disconnected from your boss? Say: 'Boss - what is it that you need from me to do your job?' Click! Connected!

Feeling unsupported by your staff? Say: 'Staff - I can't do my job (Widget) for my boss if you don't do yours (Widget) for me.' Wow. She's just like us! 

Feeling bullied? Say: 'Boss, I'm finding it hard to make that Widget for you that you said you needed to make your Widget while Frank makes me sad by calling me names.' What? Frank's endangering my Widget?! Frank! Get in here!

Feeling underpaid? Say: 'Boss - here's what it takes for me to make this Widget for you that you need to make your Widget. I think that's worth a lot to you.' You're right. You are indispensable!

The only thing that you can be sure that you have in common with your boss, your staff, Frank, your boss's boss and that other team of strangers on the third floor who you're supposed to be cross-functional with - is the Widget.

It's the atmosphere you're all breathing, the language you're all speaking, the thing that's paying all your mortgages.

You don't have to get a consultant in to tell you that.

You don't have to hold hands with Frank at an off-site team building day and each share a secret to tell you that.

Find out what your Widget is.

Then make it.

For this boss.

Or another one.