What Works: Outcome – Let Go of It

I come from a very outcome driven profession, marketing communications. Every action is measured. ROI (return on investment), CPM (cost per thousand), everything is counted to make sure campaigns are effective. Outcomes are everything. Imagine how hard it was to transition into a much more human side of communications.

Once I realized that input + action did not equal outcome (all the time) in organizational communication – my job as a consultant became a lot easier. All I had to remind myself, and my clients, of was this. We aim for the outcome. What we get may be different. But it’s what is needed.

I’ve done a few engagements where, after the engagement, key people left the organization. The outcome desired was to pull the team together. However, the people causing the discord within the team already had one foot out the door. There was no controlling that decision. What happened was what needed to happen. The bad apples left the orchard and the organization thrived. The training had an effect. It just wasn't the expected outcome.

I’ve been dating, lately. Letting go of the outcome in this application is especially important. I don’t know if I am meeting my future husband or a friend who will give me some great idea. In the case of dating, in order to avoid frustration, I have to loosen the outcome. The outcome is this. Know that human connection broadens my life. I might learn something. I might meet someone. I might have some delicious Pad Thai. Let go and let flow. That’s it.

The same goes for networking, which is, in reality, just business dating. Let go of the outcome. The most uncomfortable networking events I have been to is when people have an agenda. They want me to buy this or that. They aren’t curious about me, my needs, or what I value. They are going for the close way too soon. Seriously, how would you feel if someone asked to marry you on the first date? It’s would be scary. So why do we try to put a ring on it when we are networking? Here’s the answer. We are so tied to the outcome that we try to force it. Try it the other way. The business happens if there’s a real connection and opportunity.

Outcome is tricky. We all WANT something to happen. Forcing something to happen is the cause of a lot of stress, anxiety, and can mess up the BETTER outcome around the corner.

It takes work to remain open.

1) Realize the only thing you control is yourself.
2) Understand that outcomes are the result of actions. But we aren’t fortune tellers.
3) Accept that you cannot mess up what is meant for you.
4) Let go into your belief. If spiritual, then that. If science, realize that hypothesis isn’t always fact and experimentation exists to test a hypothesis.
5) Lean in and relax. Sometimes the rapids can get bumpy. But if you fight and try to go upstream, you will just cause yourself pain. Lean in and look for ways to enjoy the ride.

In what ways can you let go of the outcome – in your life, business, or relationships? The floor is yours, Carson City.

ABOUT DIANE DYE HANSEN
Diane Dye Hansen has more than 20 years of experience in communication and change management gained in the sectors of government, non-profit, healthcare, publishing, advertising, entertainment, and technology. Her Critical Opportunity Theory helps organizations and leaders turn challenge into opportunity through proper leadership and team communication.
She is the president and founder of What Works Consultants, Inc., a consulting firm which helps business leaders communicate when communication is hard. This is done through research, strategic communication planning, change management consulting, human resources recruitment and training. She is a columnist on CarsonNow.org. To meet her and learn how she and her team can help your company, visit What Works Consultants, Inc. online at www.whatworksconsultants.com.