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Author Archives: Jeffrey
More thoughts on the stages of Team Development
From my 2016 NYLT notes: Day 3 Adults frequently try to start at Performing while still actively Norming. So when Storming hits, it can be quite explosive. Team individuals (vs true team members) who are accomplished (practiced? mature? aware?)… (read more)
Posted in Other Thoughts
Tagged team development
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You’re sick, never mind the details…
As a manager, I occasionally hear variations on the “I’m sick and not coming in today” statement from my employees. Sometimes it’s a simple cold, other times it’s not. Sometimes it comes with much too much information. I’m not sure… (read more)
Posted in Management, Other Thoughts
Tagged management
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Vendors: Superheroes or Villains?
As the lead IT guy in a small engineering firm, I get to deal with a lot of vendors. Vendors fill in my gaps: things like knowledge, skills, tools, hours and expertise. Really good vendors become my partners, my superheroes.… (read more)
Picard management tip: Used sparingly, some light swearing can help emphasize your damn point. — Picard Tips (@PicardTips) June 9, 2013
June 15, 2013
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Classical or Jazz?
I have long wanted to write a post on leadership using elements from Chain of Command, a pair of episodes from the Star Trek: The Next Generation series, but have struggled on where to start1—there’s just so much material to choose… (read more)
Posted in Leadership
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Why? — a short follow-up
I successfully finished a ISO 9001 class last week on being a lead auditor and during the training was reminded of an easy technique for getting to the root cause of some types of problems we face, including as systems administrators.… (read more)
Posted in System Administration
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On Walking as a Leadership Trait
One of my favorite leaders during my time at KeyCorp was a walker. He’d catch us early in the morning as he walked around the 6th floor. There were certainly faster or shorter ways to get to his office, but… (read more)
Posted in Leadership, Other Thoughts, System Administration
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Crabby Managers
I’ve been a bit crabby at work recently so when I saw this classic Peanuts strip from June 13th, 1965, I had a flash of insight into my own situation. Lucy, wearing dark shades, walks first into a fence (wump!), then… (read more)
Posted in Management
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Worst Organizational Announcement email
At a previous employer it was not uncommon to send out “Organizational Announcement” emails from time to time. Sometimes it was a re-org, others a promotion, but frequently it was a resignation or transfer. In these cases it was customary… (read more)
Posted in Management
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Escalate early, Escalate often
Coworkers and colleagues might remember one of my phrases: “Escalate early, Escalate often”. Today I got to use it anew and explain it to my current group of coworkers and colleagues. Escalation In short, escalation gets you needed resources when… (read more)
Posted in Management
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