When Are You the “Only” One?
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…
Read moreCan You “Just” Anything?
Too often, I hear the word “just” when modifying a feeling. “Can’t you just shake it off?” Or, “Can’t you just move on?” Or, “Can you just go along with…
Read moreWho Owns Your Creativity?
I’ve had the chance to speak with various folks over the past few weeks about their creativity. Some of them are developers or testers, worried about the IP agreements their…
Read moreWhat Are You Sentimental About?
My town is busy planning and discussing and planning and discussing (yes, continue for several more recursions) the plans for the new high school. We need a new high school…
Read moreWhen Do You Suffer from Comparison-itis?
I was at a writing workshop last week. It was a fiction workshop, where I am still learning my craft. I still learn my non-fiction craft. However, my learning curve…
Read moreWho Is in Your Corner?
It’s Olympics time. And yes, it’s time again for “the thrill of victory and agony of defeat.” I watched that agony as an ice dancing couple fell during their performance. One…
Read moreHow Do You Encourage Your Own Adaptability?
I see a push-pull situation at many of my clients. On the one hand, the managers want adaptability—the ability to respond to changes. And, on the other hand, the managers…
Read moreWhat Do You Need to Unlearn?
I read Jerry Weinberg’s Advice to New Graduates and thought I would ask this question about unlearning. I had to unlearn many things when I started to work. Here are some…
Read moreWhy Not Ask for Help?
I am a reviewer for the experience reports track for Agile 2017. I finished evaluating all the proposals in the track last week. Here’s what struck me: too many proposals…
Read moreWhat’s Your Context?
I’m in a writer’s workshop this week, having a blast. We write a lot: openings and short stories. Since it’s a fiction workshop, I feel quite vulnerable as a writer.…
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