You want to change something—maybe a personal change or an organizational change. You’ve seen the headlines: “proven ways to lose weight!” or, in my context, “proven agile transformation success!” These people claim they have the One Right Way to succeed at something. They probably have succeeded—maybe even several times. They can explain the journey, from …
What’s Your Context for Your Success In Solving This Problem? Read More »
The world feels more complex now, where the Big Issues of the Day create “interesting” times in our lives. Even planning for vacation often requires adaptability. We must be ready to toss those plans when the circumstances change. Some people tell me we need to “return” to simpler times. Or that we can use direct, …
How Can We Embrace Complexity—and Stop Trying to Avoid It? Read More »
The recent news about Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka made me sad—for them personally, for their potential accomplishments, and for us as a society. How much pressure do they feel, that they needed to stop competing at the highest level of their sports? When I feel extraordinary pressure, I rely on my support systems. It …
I have limited expertise. (I have many opinions, but I have limited expertise.) That means I need to decide when to trust someone else’s expertise. My decisions depend on many criteria, including the domain—and the personal cost to me. I have substantial expertise in product development, so I check the context, look for options, and …
Whose Experience and Expertise Do You Trust and When? Read More »
My expertise spans several dimensions. So does yours. Professionally, I’m an expert in many aspects of management and product development. Personally, since I’ve spent so much time in physical therapy over the years, I know what kinds of PT tend to work for me. And let’s not forget my vertigo. I’m an expert in vertigo. …
For years, I’ve used the word “guys” as a generic term when I talk about people on teams. One of my reviewers for the Modern Management books offered me this feedback: “When I see or hear the word, “guys,” I assume there aren’t any women.” Oh boy. I decided to change my language. I’ve been …
You might have seen the infamous article about ‘Why I hope to die at 75,‘ revisited. If not, I suggest you read it. Emmanuel’s proposition is that Americans live “too long” after 75. They burden the health care system, their families, and who knows what else. He’s claiming to make this decision for himself. However, …
I read Reginald Braithwaite’s tweet about people who work long hours and their success. Some of the comments discuss not just the single parent, but the support system all successful people need. We have a myth (at least in the US) that we can succeed all on our own. We can’t. We need other people …
Adaptability challenges me on several levels. The biggest is how to balance my experience, with my present, to look towards the future. I might be stuck in the past. I might not realize the present is different from my experience and current perception of the present. I might be afraid for the future. I was …
How Do You Balance Your Past, Present, and Future? Read More »
In my work, I meet people who think their problems are totally unique. Their issue, their product, their managers—their context is unique. They are correct. While each of us is unique, we have many common challenges. We can learn from others. We might be able to apply something to our situation. I see this a …