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Category Archives: Other Thoughts
Off the Shelf: May 2021
Looking back at the month, I finished more books in May than I had thought, including two that I’ve been working on for a long time and two that I rushed since the Library wanted them back sooner rather than… (read more)
Ban “Interesting”
Let’s ban the word “interesting” (at least for a while). Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you used the word when it actually1 meant something? “What did you think about the incident management presentation?”“Oh, it… (read more)
A Manager’s Smile
We moved offices this past week, relocating the IT department (and one other) into a new space. The new space is light and airy and is laid out on the open office plan.1 Initially we were skeptical but we’re making… (read more)
5 Reasons Why Not to Use Your Work Computer to Do Your Personal Taxes
You don’t have local admin. TurboTax requires1 it and you probably don’t have it, nor should you. Admins take away local admin because users frequently don’t look before clicking and because users install things they shouldn’t, possibly introducing malware or putting their organizations at… (read more)
Posted in Other Thoughts, System Administration
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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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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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Be Curious
Unless it’s incessantly coming from the mouth of a two year-old, “why?” is one of my favorite questions. And “how?” is right up there with “why?”—they’re practically cousins. Why? How? Why was it set up this way? How does this work? Why… (read more)
Posted in Leadership, Other Thoughts
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