Lessons from a Fictional Ftbl Club

You can’t learn what’s safe in an organization by reading the handbook. You learn it by watching what happens to the last person who shared a hard truth, or admitted a mistake. That outcome outweighs the entire universe of inspirational posters about open communication and trust.

I’m beginning to think that we shouldn’t worry so much about whether people like us. In business and life it seems like it’s healthier to focus on whether they have enough evidence that they’re willing to rely on us (for things we’re capable of) when that reliance could cost them something.