In today's fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves caught up in the daily grind, focusing solely on completing tasks and meeting deadlines. But what if there was a way to transform our work into something truly meaningful and impactful? David Sturt's book "Great Work" offers valuable insights on how to make a difference that people genuinely appreciate and love.
Introduction
"Great Work" is based on an extensive study of approximately two million instances of award-winning results in corporations worldwide. Through this research, Sturt identified common patterns and skills shared by high performers who consistently made a significant difference in their work. The book explores these findings and provides practical advice on how anyone can elevate their work from good to great.
Sturt's approach is refreshing and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand and apply the concepts to their own professional lives. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a corporate employee, or someone looking to inject more passion and purpose into your work, "Great Work" offers valuable lessons and strategies to help you make a lasting impact.
The Five Skills of Great Work
At the heart of Sturt's book are five essential skills that high performers consistently demonstrate:
- Asking the right question
- Seeing for themselves
- Talking to their outer circle
- Improving the mix
- Delivering the difference
Let's dive deeper into each of these skills and explore how they can help you transform your work into something truly remarkable.
Skill 1: Asking the Right Question
Great work often begins with curiosity and the ability to ask thought-provoking questions. Sturt emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo and looking for opportunities to improve existing processes or products.
One fascinating example from the book is the story behind the invention of instant photography. In 1944, a three-year-old girl asked her father a simple question: "Why can't I see the photo right away?" This innocent query led her father, Edwin Land, to ponder the possibility of instant photography. Three years later, Land co-founded the Polaroid Corporation, revolutionizing the world of photography with the invention of instant film.
This story illustrates the power of asking the right questions. To cultivate this skill, Sturt suggests keeping three key points in mind:
Tackle problems head-on: Instead of avoiding challenges, see them as opportunities for innovation and improvement.
Leverage your strengths: Consider how your unique skills and expertise can contribute to solving the problem at hand.
Think big: Don't limit yourself to incremental improvements. Imagine what could be possible if there were no constraints.
By asking thoughtful questions and approaching problems with curiosity and creativity, you can uncover new possibilities and make a significant difference in your work.
Skill 2: Seeing for Yourself
The second skill Sturt identifies is the ability to observe and gain firsthand insights. He argues that relying solely on secondhand information or assumptions can limit our perspective and hinder our ability to create meaningful change.
A prime example of this skill in action is the story of Netflix co-founder Jim Cook. When the company was struggling with the problem of DVDs being damaged during shipping, Cook took it upon himself to visit a mail sorting facility. By observing the process firsthand, he was able to develop a low-cost, sturdy envelope that could protect the DVDs during transit. This simple solution, born from direct observation, helped save the company significant amounts of money and contributed to its eventual success.
To develop this skill, Sturt encourages readers to:
Be observant: Pay attention to your surroundings and look for patterns or opportunities for improvement.
Seek diverse perspectives: Recognize that everyone sees things differently, and try to understand various viewpoints.
Learn from the past: Look for historical trends and patterns that might inform current challenges or opportunities.
By cultivating a keen eye for detail and being willing to investigate issues personally, you can gain valuable insights that others might miss.
Skill 3: Talking to Your Outer Circle
While it's natural to rely on our close friends and colleagues for feedback and ideas, Sturt argues that some of the most valuable insights come from people outside our immediate circle. He notes that we typically spend about 80% of our daily conversations with the same five to eight people, leaving only 20% for interactions with others.
To make a real difference, Sturt encourages readers to engage more with their "outer circle" – people beyond their usual group of confidants. These individuals can offer fresh perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and provide valuable feedback that we might not get from our inner circle.
To effectively leverage your outer circle:
Seek diverse opinions: Actively look for opportunities to discuss your ideas with people from different backgrounds or areas of expertise.
Present your ideas in an engaging way: Frame your concepts in a manner that invites others to participate and share their thoughts.
Ask open-ended questions: Use phrases like "Can I get your thoughts on something?" or "Have you had any experience with something like this before?" to encourage meaningful dialogue.
By expanding your network and engaging in conversations with a wider range of people, you can gain new insights and refine your ideas in ways that lead to truly great work.
Skill 4: Improving the Mix
Once you've gathered insights and ideas, the next crucial step is to refine and improve them before implementation. Sturt emphasizes the importance of mental modeling and experimentation to increase the chances of success.
He offers three strategies for improving your ideas:
Add something new: Look for simple additions that can lead to significant improvements. For example, adding wheels to a suitcase or a heating element to a car seat created products that people love.
Simplify: Sometimes, removing unnecessary features or complexity can make a product or process more appealing. The iPod's success was partly due to its simplified interface, which replaced multiple buttons with a single scrolling wheel.
Harmonize your ideas: Ensure that all elements of your concept work together cohesively. Remove or adjust any components that don't contribute to the overall goal.
Sturt encourages readers to brainstorm extensively, always asking whether potential changes truly improve the product or concept and whether people will love the result. It's also important to be mindful of adding features just for the sake of innovation – focus on additions that provide real value to users.
Skill 5: Delivering the Difference
The final skill Sturt identifies is the ability to see a project through to completion and ensure it makes a real difference. He argues that great work isn't finished when a product is produced or a project is completed – it's only truly done when it has a positive impact on people's lives.
To illustrate this point, Sturt shares the story of Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the creators of Instagram. Their first attempt at an app, called Burbn, was a failure. However, instead of giving up, they adopted a growth mindset and sought to understand what aspects of their app resonated with users. They discovered that people loved the photo-sharing feature, which led them to refocus their efforts and create Instagram.
Sturt emphasizes the importance of adopting a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset:
Fixed mindset: People with this outlook believe their abilities are innate and unchangeable. They tend to avoid challenges and ignore negative feedback.
Growth mindset: Those with a growth mindset understand that success comes from learning and adapting. They embrace challenges and use feedback, both positive and negative, to improve.
To deliver the difference effectively:
Be open to feedback: Actively seek out and listen to user feedback, even if it's critical.
Iterate and improve: Be willing to make changes and refinements based on real-world results.
Focus on impact: Continuously ask yourself how your work is making a difference in people's lives.
By adopting these strategies and maintaining a growth mindset, you can ensure that your work truly delivers value and makes a lasting impact.
Practical Applications of Great Work
Now that we've explored the five key skills outlined in "Great Work," let's consider how these concepts can be applied in various professional settings.
Reframing Your Role
One of the most powerful ideas in the book is the concept of reframing – seeing your job in a broader context and understanding its potential to make a positive difference. This shift in perspective can transform even seemingly mundane tasks into meaningful work.
For example, consider a hospital janitor. On the surface, their job might seem limited to cleaning and maintenance. However, by reframing their role, they can see how their work contributes to patient well-being:
- By working quietly and considerately, they can help patients rest and recover more comfortably.
- Through friendly interactions, they can boost patients' moods and contribute to a more positive hospital experience.
- By maintaining a clean environment, they play a crucial role in preventing infections and promoting overall health.
This principle can be applied to virtually any job. Take a moment to consider your own role:
- How does your work impact others?
- What larger purpose does it serve?
- Are there ways you could adjust your approach to create more value for those around you?
By reframing your role and focusing on the potential to make a difference, you can find greater meaning and satisfaction in your work, regardless of your specific job title or responsibilities.
Building on Good Work
Sturt emphasizes that great work often builds upon existing good work. This concept encourages us to appreciate the foundations laid by others and look for ways to improve or innovate based on what already exists.
Consider the example of Dr. Seuss and "The Cat in the Hat." When tasked with creating a book that would help children learn to read, Dr. Seuss didn't start from scratch. Instead, he worked within the constraints of a limited vocabulary list, finding creative ways to tell an engaging story using only words that young children would know.
To apply this principle in your own work:
Recognize existing strengths: Identify what's already working well in your field or organization.
Look for improvement opportunities: Consider how you can build upon or enhance these existing strengths.
Embrace constraints: Sometimes, limitations can spark creativity. Think about how you can work within given constraints to create something innovative.
Combine ideas: Look for ways to merge existing concepts or technologies to create something new and valuable.
Remember, you don't always need to reinvent the wheel to make a significant impact. Often, the most meaningful contributions come from thoughtful improvements to existing ideas or processes.
Fostering Creativity and Innovation
"Great Work" provides valuable insights into fostering creativity and innovation, both individually and within organizations. Here are some key strategies to consider:
Encourage questioning: Create an environment where asking "why" and "what if" is encouraged. This can lead to breakthrough ideas and improvements.
Promote firsthand observation: Encourage team members to experience processes or problems directly, rather than relying solely on reports or secondhand information.
Facilitate diverse interactions: Create opportunities for employees to engage with people outside their immediate teams or departments. This can lead to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
Allow time for experimentation: Give people the space to play with ideas and refine concepts before implementation.
Celebrate both successes and learning experiences: Adopt a growth mindset at the organizational level by recognizing not just successful outcomes, but also valuable lessons learned from failures.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a culture that nurtures creativity and empowers employees to make meaningful contributions.
Overcoming Challenges in Pursuing Great Work
While the concepts in "Great Work" are inspiring, putting them into practice can sometimes be challenging. Here are some common obstacles you might face and strategies for overcoming them:
Fear of Failure
Many people hesitate to pursue innovative ideas or take risks due to fear of failure. To overcome this:
- Reframe failure as a learning opportunity
- Start with small experiments or pilot projects to build confidence
- Share stories of successful innovations that emerged from initial failures
Resistance to Change
In many organizations, there may be resistance to new ideas or ways of working. To address this:
- Clearly communicate the potential benefits of proposed changes
- Involve stakeholders early in the process to gain buy-in
- Be patient and persistent, recognizing that significant changes often take time
Time Constraints
Finding time to pursue great work amidst daily responsibilities can be challenging. To manage this:
- Prioritize activities that have the potential for high impact
- Look for ways to integrate creative thinking into your regular workflow
- Advocate for dedicated time for innovation and improvement projects
Limited Resources
Sometimes, a lack of resources can hinder the pursuit of great work. To navigate this:
- Focus on low-cost, high-impact improvements
- Look for creative ways to repurpose existing resources
- Build a compelling case for additional resources by demonstrating potential return on investment
By anticipating and addressing these challenges, you can increase your chances of successfully implementing the principles of great work in your professional life.
The Ripple Effect of Great Work
One of the most inspiring aspects of Sturt's book is the idea that great work has a ripple effect, extending far beyond the initial impact. When you make a difference that people love, it can:
Inspire others: Your innovative approach can motivate colleagues to pursue their own great work.
Improve organizational culture: A focus on meaningful contributions can lead to increased job satisfaction and engagement across the organization.
Benefit customers or end-users: Great work often translates into better products, services, or experiences for those you serve.
Drive industry innovation: Breakthrough ideas can influence entire industries, leading to widespread improvements.
Create positive societal impact: Some great work has the potential to address broader societal challenges or improve people's lives on a large scale.
By keeping this broader perspective in mind, you can find additional motivation to pursue great work, knowing that your efforts may have far-reaching positive consequences.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey of Great Work
"Great Work" by David Sturt offers a compelling roadmap for anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in their professional life. By mastering the five key skills – asking, seeing, talking, improving the mix, and delivering the difference – you can transform your approach to work and create outcomes that truly resonate with others.
The book's central message is both inspiring and empowering: great work is not reserved for a select few, but is achievable by anyone willing to adopt the right mindset and practices. It encourages us to look beyond our daily tasks and consider how we can contribute to something larger than ourselves.
As you reflect on the insights from "Great Work," consider these final thoughts:
Start where you are: You don't need to change jobs or wait for the perfect opportunity to begin doing great work. Look for ways to apply these principles in your current role.
Embrace continuous learning: The journey to great work is ongoing. Stay curious, seek out new experiences, and be open to feedback and growth.
Celebrate small wins: While aiming for significant impact, don't overlook the value of incremental improvements and daily acts of great work.
Connect with others: Remember the power of engaging with your outer circle and collaborating with diverse individuals to enhance your ideas and impact.
Persist through challenges: Great work often involves overcoming obstacles. Maintain a growth mindset and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement.
By internalizing these lessons and consistently applying the principles outlined in "Great Work," you can elevate your professional contributions and experience the deep satisfaction that comes from making a difference people truly love. Whether you're an entry-level employee, a seasoned manager, or an entrepreneur, the concepts in this book offer a valuable framework for achieving more meaningful and impactful results in your work.
As you move forward, challenge yourself to identify one area where you can begin applying these ideas immediately. It might be asking a thought-provoking question about a current project, seeking out a new perspective from someone outside your usual circle, or looking for ways to refine and improve an existing process.
Remember, great work is not about achieving perfection or making monumental changes overnight. It's about consistently striving to make a positive difference, learning from both successes and failures, and remaining open to new possibilities. By embracing this mindset and putting these skills into practice, you can transform not only your own work experience but also contribute to creating a more innovative, engaged, and impactful professional environment for those around you.
In a world that often feels increasingly complex and challenging, the ability to do great work – to make a difference that people love – is more valuable than ever. So take the insights from David Sturt's "Great Work" to heart, and embark on your own journey of creating meaningful, impactful work that resonates with others and leaves a lasting positive legacy.