I hate Excel

I hate Excel

I spend a lot of time in Excel spreadsheets these days, arguably a valuable tool to run you business. I hate it; I hate what it has come to represent.

I was reminded about it again recently in conversation with a friend. The company he works for is going through a rough time with general apathy and distrust amongst employees and its leadership. They are failing.

I have lived through this few times myself, in fact, I left a job I really loved because of it.

I realised the root of this evil, appointed to the board of directors in one of my previous companies. The important conversations merely boiled down to numbers — important facts on a spreadsheet.

Disillusioned, I envisioned strategic conversations about streamlining offerings, unlocking the full potential of the talent we had on the roster and discussions focused on how we are tracking against the vision of your company. The most important of all, how we would strategically outsmart the competitors in our market to become a company of choice for our customers. It wasn’t like that at all as I mentioned.

That Company is a shell of its former self now, none of the board members who served with me back then remain.

It’s a recurring theme, I see so many careers live and die by the spreadsheet, or rather the evil habit they represent.

Should you ignore the truths these spreadsheets speak? No. However, lift your nose out of those damn spreadsheets to see the world and connect with human beings. Mentor and empower your team, focus on the purpose of your business and reinforce the value you offer to your customers.

Reflect for a moment on what is driving your behaviour, your attitude toward your team and decisions you make.