## Metadata - Author: [[John cutler|John Cutler]] - Full Title:: TBM 308: No Unforced Errors - Category:: #🗞️Articles - Document Tags:: [[company-culture|Company Culture]], - URL:: https://cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-308-no-unforced-errors - Finished date:: [[2024-08-25]] ## Highlights > Seasoned executives know all this, of course. I had coffee this morning with two "super exec" friends who, over the years, have shown an uncanny ability to avoid this trap. One of them had an interesting point. Paraphrasing: > > Remember, for us, staying in a guarded, don't-show-your-cards mode is a learned habit. We couldn't survive otherwise. It is *always on*. Once you get to VP or above, you learn that even the slightest gasp or eye-roll could be used against you. On some level, people who adopt more informal, org-hierarchy spanning roles have it harder. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j65dpmzfnj4hm3r2esw11je6)) > There are many situations as a change agent where the "upside" of a certain interaction is minimal. Still, the potential downsides—the chance of errors—are high (especially when compounded across many interactions).  A great example here is speaking to senior executives. There are chances that you will magically make a good impression and move a problem forward, but they are low. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j65drwb6nddcbyt3tqr58b6s)) > "Am I managing my energy for the long term?" ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j65dt107ncmzzd7kn6n5z2e1))