How To Use Friction To Draw People In or Push Them Away | Bob Sutton
Jan 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Bob Sutton, organizational psychologist and professor at Stanford, discusses the double-edged sword of 'friction' in both professional and personal interactions. He shares strategies to identify and minimize friction, and how to use positive friction to boost problem-solving capacity and profitability. He also explores the impact of power poisoning on organizational friction and provides principles for leaders and managers to navigate friction-filled situations.
Recognize and address sources of friction to make work easier and more productive.
Avoid 'power poisoning' by developing self-awareness and empathy as a leader.
Find the right balance of friction to prompt better decisions and enhance mental well-being.
Deep dives
The Friction Project: How to Become a Friction Fixer and Accelerate Your Career
Bob Sutton, organizational psychologist and professor at Stanford, discusses his book 'The Friction Project' and how to transform workplace friction into a positive. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing sources of friction in order to make work easier and more productive. Sutton provides examples of organizations that successfully reduced friction by involving employees in the change process. He also discusses the potential impact of AI in creating or impacting friction within organizations. Overall, the key takeaway is the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness in understanding and addressing friction to drive career success.
The Power of Self-Awareness and Empathy in Overcoming Power Poisoning
Sutton highlights the concept of 'power poisoning', where people in positions of power can become oblivious to the effects of their actions on others. He emphasizes the need for self-awareness and empathy to avoid power poisoning, suggesting that leaders should develop relationships with employees who may provide valuable feedback. Additionally, Sutton encourages leaders to experience the perspective of others by shadowing employees and understanding their challenges. By doing so, leaders can address sources of friction and create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Recognizing and Utilizing the Benefits of Friction
Contrary to popular belief, Sutton explains that friction can actually be beneficial in certain situations. He shares examples of how friction can prompt individuals to slow down, analyze complex problems, and make better decisions. Additionally, he discusses the importance of savoring positive experiences, as it can enhance mental well-being. Sutton suggests finding an equilibrium between too much and too little friction, where individuals can effectively navigate challenges and leverage the positive aspects of friction.
Implementing a Meeting Reset Tool to Increase Productivity
Sutton introduces a meeting reset tool developed by Rebecca Heinz at the Asana Work Innovation Lab. The tool involves assessing the importance and workload of standing meetings and making adjustments to improve productivity. By eliminating, reducing, or modifying meetings, employees can save time and optimize their schedules. Sutton encourages readers to evaluate their own meeting schedules and consider implementing this tool to minimize unnecessary friction and maximize productivity.
Overcoming Preconceived Notions: Government and AI
Sutton challenges preconceived notions about government and AI. He shares examples of successful government initiatives that addressed sources of friction and improved outcomes. Additionally, he discusses the importance of achieving a balance between AI implementation and the acceptance and involvement of employees. By involving employees in the development and modification of AI tools, organizations can avoid friction and create a more efficient work environment.
In today’s episode, we tackle friction with Bob Sutton. Bob is an organizational psychologist and professor at Stanford, a New York Times bestselling author, and is here with us to discuss his upcoming book, The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder.
Bob Sutton sheds light on the double-edged sword of 'friction' in both professional and personal interactions, so why is friction a double-edged sword that you need to master to be successful, what strategies can you use to identify (and minimize) friction in your daily interactions, and how can you use positive friction as a tool to maximize your problem-solving capacity, boost productivity, and profitability?
What to Listen For
Introduction – 0:00
How do you identify the friction you bring to relationships that makes people not want to work with you or hang out with you?
What can you learn from the California DMV about the importance of reducing friction to maximize productivity and boost customer satisfaction?
3 Ways to Make Friction a Force for Good at Work – 19:57
If friction slows things down, how do individuals and businesses use friction to amplify results?
What strategies can individuals use to become friction fixers and accelerate their careers?
How can understanding a company's culture of handling friction help you in job interviews?
Power Poisoning and its impact on Organizational Friction – 34:00
How can leaders avoid falling into the trap of power poisoning so they don’t hurt their own bottom line by introducing unnecessary friction into the organization?
The Impact of AI and Technology on Organizational Friction – 44:12
What are the best practices for integrating AI into the workplace without increasing friction?
How can listeners apply the insights from The Friction Project to their professional and personal lives?