Empowerment

It's difficult to kill the hen that lays the golden eggs. I reached the (presumably high and well paid) managerial position I hold by playing by the old system rules. The old system works for me, so why would I want to change it for a new game in which the younger generation will beat me? We (stakeholders) will only move to get something better than what we will leave behind. Why run the risk? I run the risk because I have a good answer to the "why?" question, and so do you, but some people out there have not even asked the question yet, so they resist. Fungus

Peter principle

Peter Principle seems to apply only in "X Theory" hierarchical organizations where employees do not have a say in their own development. Government bureaucracies are a good example of such an organization. It does not happen in "Y Theory", team based, customer oriented organizations, where people tend to seek responsibilities above their proven competence, but have the drive and support to develop the skills they need to succeed. Software development is no exception. Fungus

Stakeholders

We must take customers, suppliers and all other stakeholders into account.

Any quality oriented organization needs to acknowledge that its business environment is made of all people affected by the organization. In other words, all its stakeholders.

That's a big bunch, and it includes owners, managers, employees, customers, suppliers, government, society... the business environment. Spacecraft Earth, if you will.

If you agree with me on that, it follows that to fulfill stakeholders stated and unstated needs and expectations, you must understand them.
Needs and expectations change and only active change analysis and risk management will let you cope with that.

Fungus

Motivation

Long term vision keeps me up when I feel down.

I know what I want, and I know I'll never reach it. I like to feel that I am moving forward. "The wind in my face".

That's why I keep going. I try to laugh at my mistakes. That way I change my mind to a different level (as in Einstein's famous quote) and perceive the obvious opportunities.

After that, it's a "Just do it".

Fungus

Power

Why would I want everybody to do as I bid? If I were the owner of Absolute Truth, I would find a way to impose it on others, for they own good, like it or not. But I don't have the answers. I can only search for them. That's about that. What I would do is to answer: "why do I want everybody to follow the perspectives I like?" And when I found my own answer, I would ask if there is a reasonable (not magic) way to get what I need? What do I need to change in my world view to get what I need? Fungus

Knowledge

To learn a lot of things does not make you smart.

It only makes you know a lot of things.

If you are smart, you will use your knowledge wisely. If you are very smart, you will use your knowledge to improve your lot, and the lot of those you care for.

It has been said before that if you are very very smart, you will find that your best shot at happiness is to care for every person, animal, plant and rock.

Not because you're humble, but because you're smart.

Well. That's what I've heard, but I don't know. Fungus

Communications

Communications is always a problem, and it is never easily solved.

Every projet needs a communications plan. What you learn as you prepare that plan is more important than the plan itself.

Your plan should help you to: 1. Focus on business goals 2 Be clear about who needs to know what 3. Be sure they have the information available 4. Ask, don't tell 5. Be sensitive and respectful 6. Understand that "The Truth" is a myth... be practical.

And of course. Laugh at your own mistakes.”

Fungus