Don't Be a Slimy Weasel

“You deserve a “D-” for your performance today in the meeting ... you did not prepare at all because there is no way you could have and been that disorganized. In the future, I/we would ask you to take some time and prepare and maybe even I should come up and start talking to you to get you warmed up or something but we can’t let this happen again. If you in any way think my view is wrong, please ask the others or we can talk about it.

Can you imagine getting that email from a coworker?

How would you feel?

Angry? Mad? Confrontational?

Or would you welcome that feedback comfortably?

That message was sent from an employee to the founder of the most successful investment firms in. the. world.

And he was pleased to get this message.

Why?

Because Ray Dalio runs Bridgewater Associates on a set off principles, one of which is to voice concerns and critiques directly with each other.

If you don’t, you’re a '“slimy weasel”.

I just read this today and it hit home with how I want to handle situations with people I care about: directly.

Going behind people’s backs, not being clear and direct or holding invisible grudges is no way to develop lasting, meaningful relationships.

So if you’re fucking up, I’ll tell you.

Like when my friend was in a toxic relationship with another mutual friend and I had to talk to him about it, because they’re poison was spilling over into the rest of our friends and causing problems.

It wasn’t easy (and my girlfriend wasn’t sure it was the right move) but I had to.

Because radical honesty, shedding light on the dark and taking the difficult road is the move I will always choose.

And I hope you do the same, especially if it’s with me.