As I look back on my career, spanning various roles from an employer to an employee, and as a peer, I’ve come to understand a profound truth about working with talented, inspired craftspeople: they perform best when given context, not mere instructions.
This understanding extends to a wide range of professions, from meme lords and full stack engineers, to community builders and pottery makers. A master of their craft, whatever it may be, thrives on a deep understanding of their mission, rather than minute, micromanaged instructions.
Let's paint a picture. Suppose you have an app in mind, something to solve a particular problem. What does the skilled developer need from you? Rather than spelling out which JavaScript framework to use, or specifying the CSS library or server deployment infrastructure, what you should offer is a comprehensive understanding of the user - who they are, their challenges, the impact you want the app to have on their life, and how you envisage their lives improving with the solution.
This might sound counterintuitive. Aren’t we supposed to guide people? Yes, but with autonomy and freedom, a skilled professional can conjure up something that surpasses our expectations - a result more efficient, more cost-effective, and simply better than we could have imagined.
Consider another instance - creating a birthday cake for your child. You could instruct a baker to create a cake in the shape of a specific cartoon character, with set flavors. But wouldn’t it be more exciting to just tell the baker about your child’s favorite flavors and cartoons and let their creativity take over?
The same philosophy applies to broader scenarios. Suppose you're hosting an event that needs to be covered. Rather than spoon-feeding the photographer or videographer with a detailed shot list, give them a broad idea. Provide just enough guidance to help them understand the importance of the event, the key individuals, and the target audience. Then, step back and let their expertise guide them.
If you find yourself micromanaging people excessively, you should question if you're genuinely empowering them or simply treating them like robots. There's a place for detailed, specific instructions, and AI tools can follow these to a tee. But if you're dealing with human beings who are passionate about their craft, give them the respect they deserve. Allow them to make informed decisions. Remember, true craftsmen are not mere executors, they are creators, and they excel in the right context, not under suffocating instructions.