Happy Circles

I will be happy when I get… or by … or some other externality that is dependent upon so many things, all of which are completely out of our control.

And, if we do get whatever it is that we think will deliver the “happy” we will just attach ourselves to some other happy goal and round and around we go. Always seeking happy.

Or, we can just BE HAPPY. Happy with what we are, what we have, and the journey we are on.

It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t cost anything, and we can do it right now.

Mob Laggards

The mob is the lagging indicator.

We want to act on the leading indicator.

Following the mob is a rat race.

Take a different path. Don’t expect a short cut. Could be a long cut. But do look for a more fruitful journey.

Ignore the mob.

Control The Pinball

Or… two good project management rules of thumb;

• Say no. Seriously. NO

• Failing that, ask what comes off the list to be replaced by whatever is being added.

At this point the great idea that absolutely has to be done and added that we can’t live without no matter what happens… usually vanishes. And for good reason.

Good Leadership

Good leadership;

• doesn’t rely on consensus or voting,

• depersonalize decisions,

• immediately addresses simmering issues when discovered,

• without drama,

• doesn’t take it out on anyone else,

• is direct and candid, but kind in delivery and action,

• never afraid, and

• always curious.

Derived from The Manager’s Path - A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth & Change by Camille Fournier. My only complaint with the book is that I think this applies to everyone. Not just tech leaders. Great read!

Two Roadmaps, One Highway

The Chief Product Office and the Chief Technical Officer share a highway that lays out their respective road maps. They need to be thinking at least 2 steps ahead from both the product, and the technology perspective. The CTO needs to deeply understand the product roadmap to lay out the technical roadmap to get there, and the CPO needs to deeply understand the technical road map to leverage every opportunity that it provides. Neither one should ever come up short waiting for the other. They are linked and supporting each other just in time. Nothing overspent and sitting in inventory burning shelf life. And no surprises. Perfectly timed and synchronized together.