💫 The Framework Special
A very special edition of 3 frameworks that are definitely worth stealing
After unintentionally missing last week's newsletter (a multi-day power outage, summer Covid, and international travel had something to do with it), here's a super-juicy edition with THREE incredible frameworks. We've got the entire arc: starting with one for copying (yes, you read that right), moving to a mindset of bold choices, and ending with one for gotchas.
💡 SHORTCUT SPOTLIGHT: Steal Like an Artist
I can't resist bookstores. If I'm in one, I'll find something to get, which typically leads to a growing pile of books I need to read. But the last one I picked up is almost like a small coffee table book about creativity. So yesterday I wrapped up a little early after a major deadline, grabbed a chilly snack (watermelon and feta, if you must know), and sat outside with this book.
I started taking photos of every other page I read—that's how much I enjoyed it. Here's the first framework it had:
The idea is that we all have to accept nothing is new and copying is fine, as long as we're copying the amazing things and creating from them as a foundation.
So whenever we see something, just ask ourselves: is it worth stealing?
And then we move on, regardless of the answer. As simple as that.
No complicated decision trees, just a single question. We waste so much energy on reaction and decision, they become a distraction.
Yes em dashes; no commas; whatever. Not every opinion deserves a dissertation. Just move on to look for things that are worth copying. And then do it your way.
🏆 REAL WORLD GTM: Gong’s Early Days Mindset
The year: 2021-2022
The Talya: obsessively looking to Gong for inspiration. Website, guides, blog posts, emails, LinkedIn content, design, brand—if Gong had something to do with it, I religiously consumed it. At some point my manager forbade me from using Gong as an example in team brainstorming sessions 😂
A couple of months ago I got to hear Udi Ledergor (then Gong CMO, today Chief Evangelist) at a conference promoting his new book Courageous Marketing.
Turns out there was a framework behind the creative stand-out marketing that made Gong famous. Here's the TL;DR:
Set a budget (attention counts too) for the unknown 🔮
His rule of thumb was 5-7% to set aside for experimenting with, creating, or capitalizing on future opportunities. Even if they don't exist right now.
"But Talya, I don't have a marketing budget, wtf are you telling me this?"
What I like about this most is the mindset, and that has nothing to do with your role. Think of your 40-hour work week—that's 2 hours to set aside for thinking, networking, going down rabbit holes, whatever. Give yourself that breathing space.
Forget measurement, because then your attention will be there 📐
This one is a doozy because we're constantly told to measure everything. This isn't to say work in a vacuum, but don't become obsessed with dashboards. Instead, search for real-life examples. Think quotes from sales calls or communities and DMs.
Set the expectation with your leadership team (and yourself) that these are just as good indicators as what you see on a dashboard. I just posted about a couple of wins like that I've had recently.
Udi's take: when you try something new and you're using these types of signals:
→ If it bombs, you'll know—nothing happens.
→ If it works, you'll definitely know.
Forget committees 🧑🧑🧒🧒
This is a hard one, because we're taught to collaborate and involve people early to get our work approved. But there's a difference between buy-in and <fill in the blank> by committee.
And that's because committees tend to produce vanilla work. Trying to please everyone and making them feel heard is admirable, but it's the sure way to meh. The solution is not to include that many people to begin with. 2-3 people push each other and make bold choices. So how DO you get that broader buy-in? My two cents: Get input from as many people as you'd like (it'll give them skin in the game). But set the expectation that not 100% of their input is going to make it to the final cut.
Psychological safety 😌
Whether you have a team or work alone in your yoga pants, this is key. No one succeeds 100% of the time. Give yourself permission to fail because this is what growth mindset is about. After all, there's a reason 'error' is in trial and error.
It won't happen in a day, but if you learn to be just a little more okay with it every day or week, you're headed in the right direction.
⚠️ DON'T DO THIS: The 6 Forces of Failures
Sean Jacobsohn, a VC partner, has been studying and collecting failures for years now. Those of you who've been Spilling the T with me since the beginning might remember his name from one of the early editions; here's the framework he shared that got him a star in my phone notes app:
I look at this diagram almost as a blueprint for critical thinking. Whether you’re working on a new launch, thinking about a side hustle, or doing your due diligence on a new company you’re considering joining, it's worth going through this model. It covers things like:
Building something no one wants or going after too many segments too fast; too many or poorly integrated M&A, high burn rate, or unrealistic valuation; having a problematic ICP (too small, too big) or ignoring customer feedback; undifferentiated product or a competitor with deeper pockets; disruptive regulation, lack of infrastructure, inability to adapt to changes; poorly defined incentives, leadership without stage-related experience, fraud.
What stood out to me was that half of these are outward-facing and half are purely internal. But in either case, the important thing is to recognize a problem and pivot on time; so I give you this gift of awareness.
And as a bonus, Sean's website has a lot more about this with examples for each—great source of inspiration if you need to whip up a short presentation for a team meeting 😇
Alright, you made it. Thanks for sticking around for the extra T we’ve had today, and without even mentioning the Trump/Musk fallout this week.
BTW do you think we we all witnessed their first fight or is it really over?!
-T 👀