STUFF I’M THINKING ABOUT
Because the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
I once sent my boss to a black-tie event in a business suit. One small mistake he loved to make fun of! Needless to say, I never forgot to check the small print on the dress code again!
Then there was the time we discovered an important client had been left off an invitation list. A small oversight with big consequences, as the client wasn't particularly happy. Not my mistake on that occasion, but fortunately something we spotted because we'd taken the time to use a different lens to review all the details.
Small oversights. Potentially big consequences.
There's an expression about not sweating the small stuff. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that sometimes the small stuff is precisely what deserves our attention.
Over the years, I've spent countless hours reviewing presentations, briefing papers, speeches, event formats, guest lists, invitations, diaries and all manner of other Stuff.
At times, I may not have been the expert or owner of all these things, nor was I trying to do someone else's job.
What I developed throughout my career was an ability to look at things through different lenses. To step into someone else's shoes, consider the audience, ask questions and understand how the details connected to the bigger picture.
When we're deeply immersed in something, it's surprisingly easy to overlook what's right in front of us. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can reveal what's missing, what could work better or what doesn't need to be there at all.
And that applies whether you're running a business, starting a new role, managing a project or navigating something in your personal life.
Sometimes, you don't need another expert. You need another perspective.
But the small things aren't always about documents, decisions or avoiding disasters. Sometimes they're about people.
Facilitating small moments of connection between junior colleagues and the CEO — recognising a job well done, celebrating an achievement or a promotion. Rather than an impersonal email, a personal conversation at someone's desk could make a big difference — for the individual, the team and the CEO!
Attention to detail isn't just about what you notice. It's about what you choose to do with it.
And sometimes, knowing which small things matter is just as important as knowing which ones don't. The trick is to pay attention to the detail without losing sight of the whole.
Sarah Says…
Sweat the small stuff when it matters. Step back when you need to see the bigger picture. Let it go when it doesn't. And… always check the dress code, AND leave enough time to get into the tux!