Problems across boundaries require a different approach
How do you engage other departments in problems? Most organizations do this at the wrong time. This is why efforts like value stream mapping exist. People we don’t engage across functions on an ongoing basis, we need over-the-top efforts to break in and start to solve those cross-boundary issues. But
Read MoreThis is NOT a tree
This is not a tree. Can you tell me what it really is? Time’s up. It is a picture of a tree. No, it’s not a stupid trick question…there is a point behind it. So often people confuse the real thing with the representation of that thing. This picture of
Read More“I disagree” should be celebrated, not stricken
In today’s politically correct world, conflict is avoided seemingly at all costs. But without active conflict management, good decisions cannot be made. I propose we need more tolerance rather than more sensitivity. As a sign of how overly far sensitivity has gone, we were once told not to use the
Read MoreBe Respectful, but for the right reason
In the age of self-help, self-promotion, and self-everything-else, it seems that even basic human principles lose meaning. In this blog post by Manager Tools (which I highly respect and listen to their podcasts) called Be Respectful, it either argues or forwards the argument from Wired Magazine as follows: An article
Read MoreJoin me at these upcoming talks
I don’t spend a lot of time speaking at events as most of my time in coaching in the field. However, I have two opportunities remaining this year that I’m excited to share with you. On November 11th in Hartford, Connecticut, I will be keynoting for the CONNSTEP Manufacturing and
Read MorePeople are not assets
What is an asset? By definition, it is “a single item of ownership having exchange value.” Exchange value, as in buy and sell. Sounds a bit like slavery to me, which is still this country’s most shameful part of its history. Why are assets on the balance sheet? So that
Read MoreDon’t problem solve to infinity
Good problem statements define a gap to close. They do not just describe an undesirable condition that you would like to remove completely. Why does it matter? It comes down to when you consider yourself “done”, or at least done for now. David Allen of “Getting Things Done” fame talks
Read MoreThere is no water problem
…there are many water problems. Water issues around the world from flooding to sanitation is perhaps one of the most under-publicized issues in the world, relative to the impact. Perhaps this is because the issues are very correlated to income and development. Underdeveloped countries face the biggest problems. That’s one
Read MoreYou CAN teach an old dog new tricks
No matter what we do for a living, at some point we are all in the business of learning. Either we are on a learning curve ourselves. Or we are trying to influence others, whether through sales and marketing, or though managing, or through coaching. In any of these cases,
Read MoreThe devil you don’t know lives on the greener grass
“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” This popular phrase carries a sentiment that human beings tend towards jealousy. We look at what other people have and assume their condition is easier, better, or more effective than the condition we face. One of my most
Read More