I’ve been thinking about support these last few weeks. I have found support networks quite helpful, both for my emotional and physical needs. Some people don’t want support. If you try to help them, you inflict help. Sometimes, I don’t want support either. When I lean on a door to open it, I use my […]
How Much Support Do You Want or Need? Read More »
In Jerry Weinberg’s Secrets of Consulting, he talks about becoming “pickled.” When you’re a consultant, the value you bring is that you are outside the environment. You have an external perspective. If you stay with just one client long enough, it’s as if you are a cucumber in a barrel of pickles. You can’t help but
I start new things all the time. I mostly finish them. Some, I decide to put aside until I am ready or not as busy, so I can manage the risks. I often find that the things I put aside are the audacious ideas. The ideas that are highly risky, or will take some learning,
What’s Your Audacious Idea? Read More »
In the agile community, we have a saying, “Fail fast.” It means we are supposed to feel safe to fail, and that we want to fail fast so we can use that learning to iterate on the requirements. We have opportunities to improve. I like the idea that it’s safe to fail. No one berates
Are You Failing Fast or Learning Early? Read More »
When bad things occur, we often want to blame others for the problem. Blame is comforting in the moment and not useful over time. I had a conversation the other day with a manager whose team is trying to use agile. “They’re not using continuous integration. They’re not testing enough. I don’t know what to
I’m teaching a writing workshop. Writers have all kinds of problems. A common problem is the feeling of Imposter Syndrome. “Who am I to write this? Will anyone believe me? Is it valuable?” Imposter Syndrome arises when you think you’re not capable. Or, that your success arose from luck, not your hard work. There’s a
How Confident Are You? Read More »
Warning, I have a little politics in this post. It’s politics season in the US. For me, the presidential race is the ultimate reality TV show. I can’t look away, even when I’m horrified. Republicans (self-described as conservatives) discuss religious discrimination and walls as a way to keep us safe from terrorism. Democrats (self-described as
How Much Protection Do You Want? Read More »
I like to cook. I also like to eat. Hmm, maybe I should say that the other way around. I have noticed that some people like to eat but not cook. I like to read recipes and imagine how they would taste. I try new recipes often. Sometimes, the results are less than stellar. Mark’s
Are You Using Recipes or Guidelines & Experiments? Read More »
I have a love-hate relationship with my physical therapy. I love the exercises. I like my therapist. I can see my progress. I hate the building. Hate, hate, hate it. There are three levels of parking. Only one level has a ramp. On that level, there are about eight handicapped spaces. That number of handicapped
Are You Whining or Problem-Solving? Read More »
I saw the movie Nashville this past weekend. Somehow, I missed it when it came out back in 1975. The movie’s premise is: It’s difficult to live an authentic, congruent life. Beware of people selling easy solutions. There are no easy solutions. We may have to change to get what we really want. I often
When Is It Time for You Adapt to Something New? Read More »