Meta's Most Asked Question: 'What's the Impact?'

The Power of Asking: "What's the Impact?" 🚀

When I joined Meta, a company known for its fast pace and unique culture, the word "Impact" was inescapable. Initially, it felt like corporate jargon. But the more I got immersed into the culture, the more I discovered its profound significance. Asking "What's the impact?" became more than a question; it transformed into a guiding principle for both work and life.

The Impact Factor 🌟

In a world where juggling multiple tasks is the norm, and there's always more work than you can do, you have to prioritize. Asking "Which work is more impactful?" for every work we take on can be a game-changer. But the question doesn't stop there. It's also crucial to understand the impact on different stakeholders, such as customers, your team, other teams, and more importantly, yourself.

Pro-tip: Make Assessing Impact a Habit 💡

When considering new projects, always gauge their impact. This simple yet effective habit can quickly reveal a project's viability and potential for success. If the impact isn't clear, it's time to rethink its value and resource allocation.

💭 Some projects are cool, but not all cool projects are worth doing.

The Hard Question: How do you measure Impact? 📊

The challenge often lies in quantifying this impact. How do you compare the impact of two different initiatives unless you have metrics to say one is more valuable than the other?

Here are some example metrics that can guide your quantification:

• 🏋️‍♀️ Difficulty of Execution. For instance, assess whether the project is straightforward or requires specialized skills.
• 🕒 Time to Completion. Consider whether it's a quick win, achievable within a quarter, within a half-year, or more of a long-term investment.
• 💼 Resource Allocation. Evaluate if the project needs just a few people, an entire team, or even multiple teams across different organizations.
• 🔮 Confidence in Success. Gauge your level of confidence in the project's success and consider any significant risks that may be involved.

Metrics like these can help you make more informed decisions, ensuring you're focusing on the most impactful work.

Applying "What's the Impact?" in everyday life 🎯

I've started using this "what's the impact?" mindset in my everyday life, too. Sometimes things seem really cool or urgent, but when you dig a little deeper, you realize they're not actually that important or they are important, but there are other more important things at hand. By focusing on what really matters, I've found I can make better use of my time. 🕰️

❓ A Question for You

So, are you working on the most impactful thing from the options you have? And how do you measure the impact of your work? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 💬