am I the quarterback?

I have to remember to ask, always, ... so, "am I the quarterback on this one", too?  I definitely feel like the abused if I'm ALWAYS the default quarterback.  

Am I the quarterback?

The concept of the "quarterback" was introduced to me when I was in consulting.  Clients were paying anywhere from $125 to $525/hour for my time (to my employers, I got like quarters), and they have (or should have) expectations.  Client expectations like: 1) "this consultant is always going to add value if they are billing me", and 2) "if I ask this consultant to do something, I can trust that they will NOT drop the ball".  

#1 means, a person is ALWAYS adding value.  Taking notes for the entire group.  Thinking about the edge cases.  Thinking about timing.  Thinking about execution. SHARING and voicing those observations with others.  COMMUNICATING.  Coordinating.  COLLABORATING.  SOMETHING!!!!!!!

#2 means, you're the quarterback.  NOT ONLY for the items on your OWN to do list, but for the ENTIRE team, especially your client(s).  EVERYONE.  You're the one that is CAT-HERDING, following-up, taking notes, scheduling the meetings, checking off action items, making sure the ball does NOT get dropped.

If you're good at consulting (see #1 and #2), that means, you can be good at a LOT of things.  

What I find is that the REST of the world (98%) doesn't know or think about:
1) Team-focused group benefit, "we" over "me", "others first" orientation
2) Adding value each and every minute they are awake (or getting paid)
​3) Best ways to communicate and keep everyone in sync
4) Best ways to make sure that the ball is moving forward for everyone.
5) Asking the question, "are we all on the same page?" 

THESE ARE THE BASICS.  What I find when I mentor students in university, is that they have NONE of these basics.  They have NO IDEA about how to actually work effectively.  You can tell in the first 15 minutes if someone's going to make it or not.  Give them feedback and set expectations.  It takes 2 meetings to have a point to point pattern, 3 if you really want to be sure.  Perhaps, universities should start teaching MORE PRACTICAL LIFE and WORK BASIC ADULT-ING SKILLS!  

As an employer or hiring manager, unless you have the patience of a saint (I don't), make sure you have an "onboarding" plan on how to teach and train a new college grad how to work effectively.  If I give you a task, ask clarifying questions.  Check in with me with status.  Don't make me manage you (or we'll BOTH be unhappy).  And no one wants to micro-manage, and no one wants to be micro-managed.  And shit, if anyone is spending all of their time managing and micro-managing, the company you work for has DEFINITELY got some major issues.  If that's your answer, it's NOT A FIT.  I think that's why hiring someone that actually does have internship or 1-2 years or work experience makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE in work-productivity and efficiency, ESPECIALLY FOR A STARTUP.  

And by default, always asking or implicitly expecting the SAME PERSON to always be the quarterback for EVERYONE in the room, IS NOT COOL.  That's PURE LAZINESS.  

EVERYONE should know how to quarterback a task, a project, a workstream, a plan, a company.  If you don't, I'd highly recommend learning this skill - it will increase your effectiveness infinitely.

--Arry