Feeling Like a Hot Shot?

Do you feel like you’re in a rut?

Are your hands tied by reputation or process?

Are you hungry for feedback but struggling to find it?

The Hot Shot Rule

In January of 2020, I heard Kat Cole speak, and all these years later, I continue to savor many sweet nuggets from her talk. (She was previously the President of Cinnabon.) A few of my favorites follow, either as direct quotes or close paraphrases.

In particular, I think back to her Hot Shot Rule; its wisdom has stayed with me. Quite simply, this rule states:

1. Imagine the best possible person taking over your role with no opportunity for offboarding.

2. What would that person change?

3. Why can’t that be you?

4. Take action in 24 hours.

Perhaps this sounds like the “start, stop, continue” exercise had a double shot of expresso…and it is. However, wouldn’t you rather ask yourself this question before the comfort of not changing results in a personnel change?

Become a New Hire 2.0 

Organizations habitually tell new hires that they hold immense value because of the new perspective they bring. While companies value the institutional knowledge of tenured employees, little replaces the fresh eyes of new hires. For as much as organizations pay to benchmark the industry or attend conferences to hear current case studies, savvy leaders can adopt a “day 1 mentality” for the same purpose.    

If one finds this tough or is eager to probe deeper, consider seeking targeted feedback. Cole encourages, “If you were me, what is the one thing - and only one thing - you would do differently?”

Extend Your Impact

Once you’ve identified what and how you are going to change, identify the rebellious “coalition of the willing,” or what corporate-speak would call “the innovators,” to join you. The informal networks we build of intrinsically motivated people reinforce our motivation to change and become the arms and legs of the movement. Then, choices and behaviors can last in our absence.

To the Point    

            If you are considering becoming a “hot shot” but need a little push, Cole recommends weighing the pain of changing versus the comfort of staying. She reminds leaders, “Just because things are good doesn’t mean we don’t have the right… and responsibility to make them better.”

Go make kaizen, good change!

Image source: Vladimer Botsvadze