Day: December 20, 2010

A few of you have heard me say this before. It means to be aware of your surroundings, because something is fishy.

Ever get that feeling? It’s called your gut instinct, and I suggest you side with it as often as possible.

When your notice something is strange, you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know have this eerie feeling about continuing with whatever it was you were doing, here is what I suggest you do:
1) Take a step back. If you are around the people who gave you the ‘jeebies’, just say “Can you give me a second? I just need to make a quick phone call.”
2) Call someone you trust, and that has the time for you. Tell them about the scenario and get a second, objective opinion. Sometimes it’s just you, but more often than not something IS weird, and your trusted friend will confirm it and hopefully be able to give you an idea of what to do about it.
3) Stall or slow down until you’ve figured out how to proceed. If something isn’t right, pump the brakes a little and try to clear the issue before continuing.
4) Tell those that have a vested interest in the outcome, but in utmost confidence. If other people are relying on you and your ability to go through with a deal and put things together, let them know that something seems a bit weird to you, and you will be getting it resolved over the next day or so, and that if they feel the same ‘gut instinct’ to please let you know. You would be surprised how often others have been thinking the same, but didn’t pay enough attention to their gut, or who will now become aware of the same concerns simply because someone told them to pay a little more attention.
5) Deal with the issue. This is quite often the hardest part, but if your ‘partners’ and trusted friend agree that your concern is valid, approach the person or the source of the issue and clarify it. Go to the heart of the issue and clarify whatever concern you have.
6) Control the issue. Some sort of control has to be put in place so that the concern doesn’t come to life later on. Is there some regular checking-in that needs to be done? Should someone else be supervising? Should responsibilities or the scope of the project be changed or reviewed?
7) Antennas Up! Be aware of what might go wrong, and keep your eyes and ears open.

This topic has come to the forefront of my mind recently because as a self-employed individual, my level of responsibility, accountability, and risk have all risen infinetly. My success is subject to so many different variables, that I can’t leave anything to luck or chance, and if something seems to be a little out of place, I had better do my dilligence and clarify that concern or it could be egg on my face.

“Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.”
– Micheal Burke