## Optimism as an Operating System ### Optimism as an Operating System  #### Metadata * Author: [[tomcritchlow.com]] * Full Title: Optimism as an Operating System * Category: #articles * URL: <https://tomcritchlow.com/2019/11/19/optimism-operating-system/> #### Highlights * Remember - consulting is humans all the way down - no client wants to bring in a negative, critical or attacking consultant. And no team wants to listen to a consultant that "has a better way of doing things". The sweet-spot (especially in the first few months of an engagement) is identifying the existing flows, biases and strengths of a client so that you can move with them, not against them. Go with the grain1. * Why is this so important? Because if you want to work with an organization for a long time and make a difference, people need to like having you around. Sure, you need to be effective but I'd contend equally, if not more important, is to be a pleasure to work with. # Optimism as an Operating System  ## Metadata - Author: [[tomcritchlow.com]] - Full Title: Optimism as an Operating System - Category: #articles - URL: https://tomcritchlow.com/2019/11/19/optimism-operating-system/ ## Highlights - Remember - consulting is humans all the way down - no client wants to bring in a negative, critical or attacking consultant. And no team wants to listen to a consultant that “has a better way of doing things”. The sweet-spot (especially in the first few months of an engagement) is identifying the existing flows, biases and strengths of a client so that you can move with them, not against them. Go with the grain1. - Why is this so important? Because if you want to work with an organization for a long time and make a difference, people need to like having you around. Sure, you need to be effective but I’d contend equally, if not more important, is to be a pleasure to work with.