“Solid CSW starts with solid information. Weak sources lead to weak solutions.”
When it comes to Completed Staff Work, the quality of your sources is non-negotiable. Using unreliable information can lead to flawed conclusions and, ultimately, decisions that backfire. Here’s how to ensure you’re working with sources you—and your team—can trust.
1. Know What Counts as Credible
Not all sources are created equal. Completed Staff Work doesn’t rely on hearsay or vague recollections like, “I think I read that somewhere.” It’s built on solid facts, verified and rooted in evidence. Think of it this way: would you bet your reputation on the information? If the answer is no, it’s time to dig deeper.
Imagine you’re drafting a proposal to improve team efficiency. Rather than citing blog articles or unverified statistics, look for respected publications, official reports, or peer-reviewed studies. Sources like these will hold up to scrutiny and add weight to your recommendations.
Pro Tip: Stick to sources you’d be comfortable presenting in a boardroom. If it can withstand critical questioning, it’s a solid source.
2. Use Primary Sources Whenever Possible
Secondhand information can be useful, but nothing beats going straight to the original. The closer you are to the root, the less likely errors or misinterpretations have crept in. This is especially true for statistics or complex data that can easily get distorted in secondary summaries.
Suppose you’re looking at data on employee engagement. Instead of referencing a summary article, find the original study or report where the data was first published. That way, you’re seeing the data exactly as it was presented by the researchers, without any editorial spin.
Pro Tip: When you cite statistics, make a habit of tracing them back to the primary study. You’ll get the real story—and it might be different from what you first thought.
3. Cross-Check Like a Detective
One source is just one perspective. Two sources start to build a case. Three or more create a solid foundation. Completed Staff Work means doing your homework, and that includes cross-checking your information. Think of it as detective work: each verified source strengthens your argument.
Say you’re collecting information on best practices for remote work. You find an article with promising strategies, but it’s only one view. Look for additional sources—industry reports, company case studies, or expert interviews—to confirm these ideas hold up across different settings.
Pro Tip: When you find a fact, verify it with at least two more credible sources. Those extra minutes of research can save you from making costly errors later.
4. Go Beyond the Surface
Anyone can run a quick Google search, but real Completed Staff Work goes deeper. True insights are often found beyond the first page of results, in detailed industry reports, white papers, or case studies. If everyone else can find it in five minutes, it’s probably not deep enough to add unique value.
If you’re tasked with analyzing industry trends, don’t stop at news articles or basic summaries. Look for in-depth PDFs, government reports, or proprietary studies that offer a thorough analysis. You might uncover data or insights that others missed.
Pro Tip: Try searching for “PDF” versions of reports or studies. These tend to be detailed, official documents that provide the kind of depth needed for thorough Completed Staff Work.
5. Seek Out Contradicting Data
If you’re only looking for data that confirms your assumptions, you’re not doing Completed Staff Work—you’re falling into confirmation bias. Great work considers all sides, even the uncomfortable ones. Challenging your perspective is key to building a robust case.
Let’s say you’re advocating for a new workflow to improve productivity. If all your sources only support the benefits, actively search for studies or reports that discuss potential drawbacks or alternative approaches. Better to find a flaw now than to have someone else find it after implementation.
Pro Tip: Make it a habit to search for information that contradicts your initial assumptions. It’s a quality check that can reveal blind spots and make your work stronger.
6. Save and Organize Your Sources
Nothing’s worse than losing a great source just when you need it. Develop a system to save and organize everything as you go. Not only does this prevent last-minute searches, but it also makes it easy to refer back to information and strengthens your credibility.
Create a simple document or spreadsheet for each project’s sources. Include details like the link, author, publication date, and a quick note on why it’s relevant. This small step can save hours of frustration down the line.
Pro Tip: Build a habit of saving as you go, and your future self will thank you. Organized sources are invaluable for revisits, updates, or responding to follow-up questions.
7. Choose Quality Over Quantity
A long list of sources might look impressive, but if half of them are shaky, they’re just adding noise. Better to have five solid, credible sources than fifty weak ones. Quality trumps quantity every time.
Imagine you’re preparing a recommendation report. Instead of overwhelming your audience with a list of every article you found, choose a handful of high-quality sources that you’d confidently stand behind. These will carry far more weight and make your report more focused.
Pro Tip: Before adding a source, ask yourself, “Would I bet my work on this source?” If the answer is no, leave it out. A concise list of high-quality sources is always more compelling.
8. Don’t Settle Until You’re Sure
If something feels off, it probably is. Great Completed Staff Work is built on instinct as much as on information. If a source doesn’t seem fully reliable, keep digging. The right data is out there, and it’s worth the extra time to find it.
Suppose you find a statistic that seems either too good or too extreme to be true. Rather than taking it at face value, keep searching for additional data. Trust your gut—if a source feels flimsy, dig until you find one that holds up.
Pro Tip: Listen to your instincts. If a source seems questionable, it’s better to be thorough now than to risk basing your work on weak information.
Starting with the Right Sources Is Your Foundation
Completed Staff Work isn’t just about gathering information; it’s about getting the right information. Reliable sources lead to reliable conclusions, and reliable conclusions lead to effective action. Start with sources that matter, and you’re already halfway to delivering great work.
