Don't Get Railroaded
In any project, there are bound to be different opinions, as each of us brings different perspectives and experiences to the table. Many of these different opinions can easily be resolved through exploration, but some will flare into conflict. While some are warranted, based on different technical perspectives that need to be reconciled, others will be based on issues that fall outside the technical domain. When that is the case, we need to be careful to ensure that we don’t make a rash decision. Read more
Recognizing the Structure of Power
In his book The 48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene explores a wide range of examples of the application of power and influence with others. The book has a decidedly dark feel about it, a Machiavellian leaning that can make for a bad taste in your mouth. Entertaining reading, but not something I would consider a guide to live by. This stands in stark contrast with one of the sessions of the recent AYE Conference, where we explored the nuances of power in a setting that is much more aligned with the idea of common good rather than a zero-sum proposition. Read more
Books
Develop skills to thrive in the face of workplace chaos (now available at Banyen Books and selected Chapters and Coles in Vancouver):
Ten years of observations on agility, in e-book form:
A practical guide to human dynamics in project teams:
