It's an expression I've been hating on forever.
I'm around 2-people-telling-me-shy of loathing it.
And I love me some trees.
Thankfully, in my world of digital strateegery, I see value in being able to get as many details as possible and macro-ing up from there. I find having a solid base gives me a stronger grasp on something if I understand how to handle it from justabout any angle.
But here's the problem - SOME people get myopic.
They get obsessed with details, get into the weeds, and then...they miss the proverbial "forest"
Let's be clear here, not everyone can handle the foliage - it's overwhelming. An acquired taste.
To those people, I say BOO YOU.
"There are too many details" "Lets cut the fat" "what do they mean?" "Why are they telling me this?"
I get it....it's kindof like having a massive case of ADHD if you're on the unexpected receiving end of this.
Having said that, I think it definitely depends on whether you're being GIVEN too many details or you're ASKING for too many. Some people do both - I usually do both but I'm trying to keeping it to asking for too many when the situation doesn't permit.
But back to the people who can't handle being given all the details:
I don't think you realized what you may have done to people who live on asking for details.
For me, when I ask for details, I'm actually looking for angles on how to boil things down. And most people who understand the method know that. They know I don't really want to get all crazy and actually care about how their silk is spun from virgin caterpillars, or whatever. I'm picking up subtle cues, while listening for something totally different as they answer questions. Ways to organize thoughts and answers. The method is my Adderall.
Fair enough, sometimes the details aren't relevant, but I'd much rather clients give me MORE info than I need rather than having me assume things along the way and then have to re-do all kinds of work I've gotten passionate about and driven 12 miles out with.
But DONT assume I'm getting into the weeds when I ask questions.
Because that's the problem. You're assuming you actually know the motivation behind my questions, when sometimes, I'm still looking for motivation.
Yes, sometimes it's a balancing act - but that's part of the process.
I'm sure everyone has had moments/stories in their lives where they reveal brilliant insights in the otherwise "weedy" spots, and more often than not, it happens by accident. Because by explaining something in detail - you hear youeself, you realize something....talking it out works.
It's what therapists charge their patients all that money for...
I say bring on the forest, or the trees, or whatever!!!
Those of us who can handle it are lumberjacks - we're gonna chop it down and turn it into somefin great.
Look at the time, looks like our hour is up.
See ya next week?
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