A Nightmare on Tech Street

The Wizard. The word has become a sobriquet for techies or tech people.



Webopedia has three definitions for the word and and all of them technology related. It has become synonymous to a person who is an outstanding programmer. The system administrator for a chat room. Or a utility in an application or computer program that directs you through different steps to accomplish a task.

Though the term was flattering as it is true in a sense - tech people can make the usual burdensome tasks into a magically easy way through the use of technology. Well, actually there's no magic. Programmers do the task in their logical steps.

Since, business systems has been with us for quite a time now, most businesses has come to rely on them. As their dependence grows, their expectations of the system and their programmers grow disproportionately.

How? Business mindset of budgeting is a major consideration. Always. And the IT Department is not immune to it. They expect more but they would not allocate enough (so how could you operate on a shoestring budget?).

As technology ages there come tools and methodologies that evolve, and they expect us to know everything and be updated with these new methods and tools. We may be wizards but one thing certain is we are not omniscient.

I may sound bitter or doubtful of my profession, no I'm not. That's one of the challenges we face. Voila! We usually get over those kinks in our programs so why can we not get over the kinks in our lives?

So What If It Isn't Working As Planned?

You and everyone else thought you have a wonderful project plan. All seemed to be well thought out. The team is on a high note and are raring to start. The other stakeholders are just about as excited and are more than willing to give you the budget and their most sought-after approval and support. Great!

The project is going fine and according to schedule. However, towards some stages, problems keep on cropping up threatening the whole project. There could be a number of reasons why projects can falter aside from a bad project plan design: office politics, vendor delays, equipment malfunctions, or even team members' waning or lack of interests.

When everything seems to be going adversely, what do we do? Of course there is no use fretting or sulking in a corner. Rather, make it an opportunity to show and test the mettle of your leadership.

First, we have to admit the problem exists. Don't play the blame game, nothing will come out of it. Rather, as the leader of the team, have the guts to accept the problem exists and is staring us in the face. Avoiding it or sidestepping on it will not help in hurdling the problem. If it is an oversight, have the courage to let it be known by all the stakeholders squarely.

Second, make the necessary adjustments or changes. Once you have admitted the problem exists, gather all your strengths and assets to make all the necessary adjustments on the original plan. This option is sometimes the only way to save the project and worse, your job or your career. Document everything especially the changes that have to be done. After you have made a viable secondary option, share it with all those concerned - from the one with greatest influence to the one with the least. Do not leave anyone out in the cold. Remember three things: one, communication is always the key to success; two, teamwork can spell the difference, no one person can take all the credits; and three, the blame cannot be shared but will only fall on one shoulder - yours.

Third, reach out to all the persons concerned - team members, stakeholders even second or third parties that may be involved. Negotiate, compromise, whatever it takes to complete the project. Take also into consideration the culture and the politics involve within the organization. Use the political inclination of each influential stakeholder and use it to the advantage of the project.

Sometimes all it takes is a little courage to straighten things out and come out blazing. Again, it all starts from you.

Further Reading Resources:
What to do when your solution doesn't work
Ron Ashkenas: Use Office Politics to Your Advantage
Ron Askenas: Why you should question your culture

Evolution or Extinction?

An organization is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and competencies converge. Where people function according to the abilities they can contribute. A place where they are finally given the opportunity to show their prowess after years of training and studies.

But an organization is never static, it is dynamic. It has to evolve with the changing times or be left out and die. The same is true with the people involved in the organization. People has to be able to keep pace with the ever changing environment and the way tasks are done. What they have trained for years might not anymore be suitable tomorrow.

Take for instance the world of computers and technology, the pace is hectic and dizzying. With this kind of situation an IT person has no other choice but to evolve as fast. Newer technologies are ever changing the way consumers and enterprises do their computing tasks - tablets, the clouds and mobility. The rules keep on changing, there is no room for stagnation. So how do we keep with the pace? Below I share the right moves I have done. These tips are based on my experiences and could be considered an expert advise. I am sure that these are not limited to the environment I work with.

1. Keep abreast with the latest technology or techniques. Knowledge is power. With the power of the internet information and reading materials are readily available than it was say, ten or fifteen years ago. It is now easy to find the right materials and information to hone your skills and learning. Do not let your competencies stagnate to what it was three or five years ago. Try to learn new abilities and skills. Education is a constant renewal and development of  yourself.

2. Change your attitude. First it all starts with you and you alone. No one can do it for you. Either you  use your time wisely or not, it all depends on you alone. I've seen many people who have not developed their yearning for knowledge, or even if they do, they seem can't find the time to do it. There are also people who are afraid or do not have the confidence to show their creativity and talent. These people seem to be content to be followers, not innovators. All great men are innovators. They were able to to conquer their own self and have mustered the courage to stand up and show the way.

3. Be pro-active. You work in an organization that is always on the go. There are people working with you. You do not work alone, you have to work as a team.There will always be tasks to be done by the team. But everything does not always work like clockwork. There will be times that problem will arise and this is not seldom, I tell you. Try to understand the whole work process you are involved with and be aware of each member's or the team's progress. Try to help other team members if you find that they are having a hard time doing their task and if they are holding back the team. Do not wait for a problem to develop before you make your move and react. Act ahead and act decisively.

So there you have it, some words of wisdom, though it may not be complete but otherwise are very important, to help you evolve with the fast changing time. Do not allow to see yourself irrelevant, out there in the rain, out of job or worse, depressed and longing for the time and opportunity that was lost. Evolution or extinction, its your only option.

5 Leadership Qualities Petting A Dog Can Teach You

If you want to keep a pet, most likely it will be a dog. Either a dog with a pedigree for status quo or that ubiquitous village dog we call Aspin or Askal to serve as the household guard dog. But petting a dog should be more of a learning and fulfilling experience. If you would have your dog for companionship, a relationship must be built between the two of you. Training is essential to make him well behaved and to let your dog know what you want or do not want.

Dogs are naturally social animal. They live in a group called a pack. Every pack is like a community in which hierarchy exists where there is one regarded as the pack leader. In your home or territory the pack leader should be you, your dog must understand that he belonged to the lowest rung in the hierarchy of the household. This is where your leadership is brought to the test.

There are five leadership qualities that petting a dog can teach you: communication skill, trustworthiness, discipline, confidence and responsibility.

Communication Skill

The first thing that you must fully develop in yourself is communication skill. Why? Between two different specie you and your dog will be talking in different languages. So you have to learn how you can make your dog understand what you require of him. This is not really a big problem as there are techniques you can use to convey your message. Sign language is one tool that you can use together with your verbal command. After learning how to give your command and require obedience from your dog, relating to him also require that you learn how he expresses his feelings. Learning how they communicate will help you understand their moods and wants. Once the communication gap is bridged then the relationship can really be successful.

Trustworthiness

Relationship is an action and reaction situation - a good act shall reap a corresponding good reaction. Animals do have feelings and sensibilities too. They know how to fear, to be traumatized, to exert their wants and could challenge your leadership. One of the most admiring characteristic of dogs is their loyalty. They will serve you to their end, even die for you. They will be loyal but in return you have to properly care for them. They shall be depending on you for their upkeep - food, health, shelter and their total well-being.

Discipline

Keeping your pet also requires a healthy life and the most effective way of keeping fit, not only your dog's but for you as well is an exercise regiment. OK, we are all busy with full daily schedule - professional, family, social and spiritual. So how could we still insert a time for your pet's exercise? This where the discipline to manage time comes in. A daily walk as exercise requires no more than 30 minutes to an hour. Why not wake up 30 minutes earlier for the exercise? A well managed time also makes your day a non-stressful day. So both of you are benefited with a healthy life.

Confidence

Your dog looks up to you as the pack leader. Being a leader requires an aura of confidence. Once he sensed that you lack the confidence, you cannot exert your full authority. If that happens, he can challenge your leadership or may not be as obedient as you would require.

Responsibility

Keeping dogs or any animals carries our responsibility to the community where we live. There are rules, regulations and laws we have to be aware of. Like preventing them to stray and could endanger neighbors, especially children.

Do you think you have these five qualities of leadership? If not, then I advise you to keep a dog and practice, it could bring a change in your career or life.