If you’ve ever implemented software, you’ve likely come up with a few rules to follow. I mean, of course, you have. You can’t possibly aim to learn the same lesson repeatedly. However, one rule that I try to follow in every implementation is easy to remember. Rule #6: Don’t be an asshole. In the book “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Ben Zander, they paint a picture of how to get out of your own damn way…
I originally wrote this post in the midst of Covid lay-offs throughout North America. It still very much applies. The New Yorker recently published this cartoon and I find it to be perfectly appropriate with our BCP (Business Continuity Planning) and COVID-19 Business Response situation. It’s not the time to sit on the sidelines and let your team do the heavy lifting (You may not have a team that values ‘idea firemen’ after this). It’s not the time to delineate…
The average CEO reads seven million Business books a year. (Or something like that.) At least that’s how paid book services get you interested. These services are out there. They will often curate book lists, have the author give unique insights, and provide summaries on fundamental concepts in the book. Some will create online book clubs (sometimes with the author – which is super cool). If you need someone to lead you and add that layer of pressure to get…
I grew up in a house that didn’t have conflict. I suspect I’m not much different from many people. There, simply, was no conflict. No arguments, no fights, and certainly no negotiation. As I’ve moved into the Corporate sector (and became a father), I realized that I very much lacked in this department. And so for the last year, I’ve dedicated my time to learn more about myself and conflict through some experts in the field. Here’s a list of what…
Continued from a previous post. When leading an implementation, there are four essential characteristics that I’ve found separate the elite implementers from the pack: Conscientious Leadership Emphasis on Relationships Hunger to Learn New Skills Focused Hustle Let’s talk about an Emphasis on Relationships. What does having an Emphasis on Relationships mean? When talking about implementation, you are talking about change. Rarely does one thing get implemented that is the same as the thing it replaced. In the gaps between one system to…
If you are feeling stuck and are serious about improving, it all starts with deliberate practice and a daily routine. That’s at least according to Angela Duckworth, the author of Grit. Daily Habits are not a new concept. Logically, I think we all know that if we want to improve in an area – we have to do something about improving in that area. One book that you won’t find in a library is a book titled: Serendipitous Improvement: 10…
Sometimes we need permission to do something outside our normal. To take a jump. To be uncomfortable. I’m very much like that. I don’t need permission to do what I always do. But, I do somehow and for some reason need permission to push my boundaries. I’m not sure why this happens. But one thing is for sure; there is no one handing out permission. No boss will come to you and permit you to do something you’ve never mentioned before. So,…
The story goes something like this, there are three bricklayers, and each of them is asked the same question: What do you do? The first bricklayer says “I put down bricks.” The second bricklayer says “I am building a church.” And the third bricklayer says “I am building a house of God.” The point is that all three have the same exact occupation and all of them are doing the same work, but how each bricklayer sees what they do…
Continued from a previous post. When leading an implementation, there are four essential characteristics that I’ve found separate the elite implementers from the pack: Conscientious Leadership Emphasis on Relationships Hunger to Learn New Skills A Focused Hustle Let’s talk about Conscientious Leadership. What does being a Conscientious Leader mean? When talking about implementation leadership, it’s critical to discuss the character of the individual leading the change. In the end, technical change is humans wrangling with a change that happens to be…
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” ― Fred Rogers It’s not always quite so simple, but what if it were? What if you chose to make it that simple? Would that mean less for you or more for you? Would it mean more or less for those around you? Read my previous post about this topic if you still aren’t…