Sometimes we hear or believe things about accomplishing great work that are simply not true. Here are a few of those myths and the corresponding realities that lead to becoming a true difference-maker.

1. MYTHS ABOUT GREAT WORK:
AND the Reality of What to Do to
Make it Happen
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4. Two years ago, Great Work: How to Make a Difference
People Love became a New York Times bestseller. Since
then, thousands of people have become difference-
makers. They’ve passionately taken on projects, applied
the 5 skills, and delivered innovative solutions. Ready
to become a difference-maker? Focus on the reality of
what it takes and produce the great work only you can do.
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5. 1
MYTH:
GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT
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6. REALITY:
Good work has its place. It is proven, understood,
stable, tried, true and tested. Good work needs to
get done to keep everything running smoothly and
profitably. In fact, good work is the starting point for
adding something great. Find a way to work with
what you have to create differences people love.
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7. MYTH:
JUMP IN AND BEGIN WORKING
ON AN ASSIGNMENT
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8. REALITY:
Pause and start by asking the right question. Consider
new ways to delight that may not have been asked for
or thought of yet. Focus on finding what people would
love. It doesn’t take any special training to ask the
right question. It just takes a little time.
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9. From a leadership perspective, there’s
nothing more frustrating than to see
people on autopilot. There is so much
more we tap into when we encourage
each other to make things better.
–Rob, The Hartford
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10. MYTH:
PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN
AND GET IT DONE
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11. REALITY:
Get out and see for yourself, look for new perspectives
and possibilities. Each of us has a unique perspective
on the world around us. What we see matters a lot.
You will see things no one else can. Look for trends
that can shed light on what can be eliminated, what
may be possible, or what may be missing altogether.
You may be surprised at what you discover when
you make it your mission to explore.
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12. MYTH:
TURN TO YOUR USUAL SET OF GO-TO
PARTNERS TO FLESH OUT YOUR IDEAS
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13. REALITY:
Talk to your outer circle. Conversations with people
we don’t usually talk to lead to ideas we wouldn’t
think of on our own. In fact, novel ideas get formed
by making new connections. Whenever and wherever
people with different backgrounds get together and
talk, unexpected ideas suddenly seem to click.
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14. We actually find the odds of a solver’s
success increases in fields in which they
have no formal expertise. The farther the
problem is from their specialized knowledge,
the more likely it will be solved.
–Harvard professor Karim Lakhani
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15. MYTH:
IT’S BETTER TO RUSH TO THE FINISH
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16. REALITY:
Take the time, think through, sketch, plan, shape and
fine-tune changes. Improve the existing mix. This is
where creativity comes in, as you begin toying with
possibilities. Look for simple alterations that have
worthwhile effects. Add elements. Remove and edit.
See how it all fits together.
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17. Humans have a marvelous adaptation
in our brains that lets us actually have
experiences in our heads, before we try
them out in real life.
–Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert
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18. 6
MYTH:
FINISH THE PROJECT AND MOVE ON
TO THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT
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19. REALITY:
The work isn’t over until people love the result. The
great work definition of complete is “a difference is
made.” Great workers aren’t done until they see
evidence that their work makes a difference someone
loves. Stay with the work to follow-up, gather insights,
gain understanding, and make connections. Be obsessed
with outcomes. Make one difference lead to another.
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20. Let us help you turn these myths into reality
for the great work only you can do. Take
our Great Work Challenge and become a
difference-maker in your organization today.

21. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
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22. O.C. TANNER AND THE O.C. TANNER INSTITUTE
O.C. Tanner, number 40 on the 2015 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies
to Work For® list, helps organizations create great work environments
by inspiring and appreciating great work. Thousands of clients
globally use the company’s cloud-based technology, tools, awards,
and education services to engage talent, increase performance,
drive goals, and create experiences that fuel the human spirit. Learn
more at octanner.com.
The O.C. Tanner Institute regularly commissions research and provides
a global forum for exchanging ideas about recognition, engagement,
leadership, culture, human values, and sound business principles.
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