If you have ever been to London and taken the tube (i.e., the subway), you may recognize this sign warning passengers to be mindful of not tripping into the gap between the platform and the subway car.
While speaking recently at an event for IT start ups, I was asked by the young CEO of a fast-growing and much admired company what would be my Number One piece of advice for transforming technical innovation into successful implementation and long-term growth. The question was met with snickers from the crowd, maybe because it sounded absurdly simplistic. Sort of like asking what the secret to the universe is.
I paused, said “It can be summed up in three words,” and showed the image of this iconic London subway sign.
“This is what they didn’t teach you in school. Mind the Gap.” A moment of puzzled silence rippled across the audience.
I went on to say, “You don’t all know each other, but I am confident that you all have two things in common. First of all, you are subject matter experts. You know your stuff. The people who work with you rely on this, and your own professional confidence is likely based on this.”
I noticed some heads nodding in the crowd.
I went on to say, “The second thing that is typical of people in start ups is that they are highly motivated and want to be part of building something with others. There is a common vision, at least at first. And collaboration is part of that vision.”
“So far, so good.”
“Now we get to what they didn’t teach you in school. In order to leverage and optimise your knowledge and vision, you need skills to be effective in communicating them to others. Knowing things will only get you so far. Effective communication is what transforms knowledge into results. And effective communication is about Minding the Gap. Too many talented people do not pay enough attention to The Gap. They focus only their own content. They want to get it right. But no matter how much you prepare your content, achieving results requires you to be skilled at tailoring it to your listeners. Collaborating, convincing, and creating opportunities all require you to Mind the Gap between you and the knowledge, perspectives and priorities of your listeners. Once you learn the skills to Mind the Gap, it becomes a habit. Just like stepping safely onto the subway from the platform.”