...just lift weights & cut out sugar

March 16, 2023

Many moons ago, yours truly coached Crossfit while going through language school Washington DC.

I learned a ton about public speaking, coaching, and managing people during those couple years.

I use one lesson over and over (from an incredible strength coach named Dan John), that might challenge your thinking about using global talent.

I hope it helps.

Scenario 1:

Someone walks into the gym.

“I want to lose weight and look better naked”.

“Awesome, cut out sugar and lift weights -easy peezy lemon squeezy”

The person promptly ignores the advice, goes off into some random direction, and doesn’t do the simple things right.

They say to themself “Yea yea, that stuff is so SIMPLE - I need more advanced stuff!!”

Scenario 2:

Someone walks into the gym.

“I want to lose weight and look better naked”.

“OK - let me do some assessment of your physicality and needs”

I measure their vertical jump, ask them what star sign they are, figure out what junior high school they went to, and write down their blood type.

This kabuki goes on for an hour or so.

I sneak to the back of the gym, grab a big folder with a bunch of blank printer paper on it and yell “EUREKA” at the top of my lungs, as I slam the folder on the desk.

“OK, after extensive analysis - I have a recommendation for you. I’ve studied your biomechanics and genetics EXTENSIVELY. Here is my recommendation to lose weight and look better naked. Cut out sugar and lift weights”.

Now the person listens, and actually cuts out sugar and lifts weights.

Same advice, different process to get there. 

So, what’s the equivalent of “eat less sugar and lift weights” for the global talent crowd?

Here’s a few:

  • Global talent is mostly similar to any remote talent - it requires care, feeding, & competent management

  • Keep it simple - clear job descriptions, clear process documentation, clear reporting relationships

  • Don’t expect one person to solve every problem you have

  • Would you have a junior minimum wage warehouse employee report direct to the CEO of a multimillion dollar company, and get tactical guidance from them? Then why would you do it with entry level global talent?

  • Systems allow you to use "lower level” employees without sacrificing quality - stop looking for all stars and build a system that a 11 year old could run.

Now - I’ve been building a lot of products, advising a bunch of businesses, and having a blast talking about global talent…so I’m kind of shooting myself in the foot here.

Do I need to study your organization?

Sure - it wouldn’t hurt.

Can I spend months tweaking, analyzing, and fine tuning the applications of these ideas?

Sure - it wouldn’t hurt.

HOWEVER - if you want to just skip to the good stuff… print the above out, stick it on your wall, and put it into practice immediately.

Yours in Outsourcing,

Jon