In this episode of Harmonious Workplaces, hosts Rich Cruz, Sharyl Volpe, and Ben Kleinman are joined by Robert Snyder, CEO of Innovation Elegance, to discuss how to improve team collaboration and manage change effectively using the concept of “Elegance.” Instead of surrendering to the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) nature of modern work, Snyder proposes a people-centric methodology that draws inspiration from the performing arts.
Moving Beyond Software-Centric Methodologies
Snyder, a self-described “generic IT consultant” with a background in performing arts, shares his journey towards developing a new methodology that shifts the focus from software-centric approaches like Agile to a more human-centered approach. He argues that the current status quo of innovation methodology is often more painful than writing a book, leading him to author two books, with a third planned, to promote his new approach. He emphasizes that people are what makes innovation difficult, and a people-centric methodology is needed to address the dysfunctions that have plagued teams for decades.
The Five Verbs: A Foundation for Elegance
At the heart of Snyder’s methodology is the concept of “Five Ruthlessly Unambiguous Verbs”: draft, review, revise, approve, and distribute. These verbs are designed to replace the traditional RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) matrix, which Snyder argues has become a “false sense of governance.” He sees the traditional RACI method as using adjectives, not verbs, which are the true drivers of action. The five verbs, in contrast, provide clear direction for project tasks.
- Responsible maps to draft
- Accountable maps to approve
- Consulted maps to review and revise
- Informed maps to distribute
Snyder’s approach encourages teams to aggressively simplify project plans, moving away from “verb sprawl.” Instead of using numerous verbs in project plans, he advocates for using the five verbs, which makes the documentation more straightforward and finite. This also applies to the number of meetings and emails. He argues that teams need to find a finite number of documents that are worth the rigor of the five verbs. This finite approach can help teams find a rhythm, get out of mechanics, and focus on empathy, creativity, strategy, and style.
Synchronization over Speed
The discussion highlights the importance of synchronization over speed. Snyder explains that many teams treat speed as a leading culture trait, which results in communication traffic jams. Instead, teams should treat speed as a lagging indicator, focusing on synchronizing team efforts. He uses the metaphor of a symphony, where each musician knows their part and contributes to a cohesive whole. To achieve this synchronization, teams need to identify what is finite, such as the five verbs and the essential documentation, which are stable across projects, allowing for creativity in the content within those structures.
Documentation and the Economic Impact
The podcast also delves into the economic implications of Snyder’s methodology. He contrasts teams that favor meetings and emails (low upfront cost, high marginal cost) with those that favor structured documentation (high upfront cost, low marginal cost). Snyder argues that structured documentation is essential for long-term success because it allows for low marginal costs when information is needed repeatedly. The value of a business is found in its documented structure and intellectual property, just like the value of music is found in published sheet music.
Addressing Psychological Safety and Counterproductive Behavior
The conversation touches on the need for psychological safety within teams. Snyder acknowledges that for team members to look upstream or downstream and challenge existing processes, they need a safe environment. He introduces the concept of “exaggerating momentum into absurdity” to address counterproductive behavior, drawing inspiration from Aikido, which minimizes damage to both the attacker and the attacked. By exaggerating counterproductive behavior, teams can address problems without resorting to conflict, promoting a culture of learning and growth. He is also an advocate for “failing fast, failing small,” and sees the five verbs as eliminating the possibility of a single point of failure.
Moving Away from “Squishy” Leadership
Snyder also critiques values-based and principles-based leadership, calling them “too squishy” and not effective in solving teamwork problems. He advocates for a new leadership paradigm grounded in the metaphors of music, dance, theater, improv, parenting, Aikido, the factory, the flywheel, and the asset portfolio, which have more “teeth” than previous approaches. He believes that these metaphors and the five verbs can give junior employees the tools to manage up without “kissing up” and hold senior executives accountable.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace a people-centric methodology, inspired by the performing arts.
- Use the five verbs (draft, review, revise, approve, and distribute) to replace RACI and reduce verb sprawl.
- Prioritize synchronization over speed.
- Recognize the value of structured documentation for long-term cost savings.
- Create an environment of psychological safety where team members can challenge the status quo.
- Address counterproductive behavior by exaggerating it to the point of absurdity.
- Adopt metaphors-based leadership to create more clarity and accountability.
- Move away from the “squishy” values based leadership.
- The five verbs are intended to be muscle memory
In conclusion, this episode of Harmonious Workplaces offers a compelling case for rethinking how teams collaborate and manage change. By adopting the principles of Elegance, teams can move beyond the limitations of software-centric methodologies and create more harmonious, efficient, and innovative workplaces. Robert Snyder’s approach provides practical tools and a compelling vision for how to achieve this transformation.
To learn more about Robert Snyder and his work, you can connect with him on LinkedIn or visit his website at innovationelegance.com. His books, “Innovation Elegance: Transcending Agile with Ruthlessness” and “Innovation Portfolio: Five Verbs Shape Your Team’s Legacy,” offer a deep dive into his methodology.
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