Poker Face - lessons from watching "The Traitors"

I hoped you watched the final of Traitors last / this week (if not, then why not?!). Don’t worry, no spoilers here. But I love it when popular culture overlaps with the day job. In this case, i’m specifically talking about the ability to maintain a poker face in a leadership role.

If you’ve read my last post, you’ll know I'm a big advocate of open communication and trusting in the team to help delivery. (Here’s the but)... But that level of transparency isn’t always possible or even appropriate. I had a couple of examples this week when I had to hold back information. Effectively employing my seldom seen poker face.

As a COO, you have to be mindful of the influence you have. As someone who has a tendency to fix things, I’ve been guilty in the past of offering opinions that had unforeseen consequences. From “trying to be helpful” to “damage limitations” in a short time! Less is more in certain situations. If you’re dealing with a knotty problem, tackle it in chunks, and not in one go. Practice that poker face

Then there’s the inescapable reality that the COO is privy to sensitive information. The content of which has to be kept within a small and tight knit group.

You can’t share info on a possible deal before it’s signed, and you certainly can’t tell people about a grievance case.

I’ve never enjoyed this aspect of the role, but it’s critical to maintain that poker face, whether by legislation or for commercial reasons.

Saying that, i’ve learnt to enjoy using my poker face with commercial matters. I tell myself - like the folks on the Traitors TV show - this is a game, and the point of which is to further the commercial success of our agency.

So yeah, add a good poker face to your COO repertoire.

First written on 3 February 2024