Have you ever went into a meeting with your business partner and he started to say something that was totally different from what you were thinking? Maybe even something you didn’t agree with? It would be pretty awkward, esspecially if you are sitting in front of a customer or new recruit. Luckily, there is a great way to avoid this: we call it “being one brained.”
My CEO Spencer Bramson coined the term at our company, and what it means for us is that before we go into a meeting, make a decision, talk to an employee about something important, etc we first sit down, say it outloud to each other and confirm “are we one brained on this?” It means that we are thinking the same thing and are in agreement. It’s an extra safety mechanism to ensure that one of us doesn’t accidently do something that the other isn’t on the same page with.
This is so important because, obviously, multiple people are not one brained. On the contrary, everyone has their own thought process, opinions, agendas, etc. But just like making sure your laptop calendar is synced with your smartphone, people working together need to sync their thoughts, quickly debate and get to a place where they are on the same page and thinking in agreement. If not, hard feelings, mistakes and troubles will likely occur.
Being one brained is actually pretty simple. Consider the following:
1. Have a word
We like the word “one brained” and feel free to use it as well. However, any word/phrase that immediately identifies that you and your colleagues are syncing up on ideas is important to let people know what’s going on and let them get in the zone for it.
2. Make it quick
Being one brained can’t be a 2 hour process each time you are reviewing a decision, meeting or agenda. Get to the point and keep it simple. Remember, people are inherently lazy and busy, so adding lots of time to anything is a failure point. Keep it quick.
3. Get it on paper
Making agendas or “logistics schedules” as I call them for events is a great way to make everyone brained. When it’s written out on paper it becomes more clear and easy to understand. It eliminates the failure point of an oral miscommunication.