No Truth to This May 21, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Communication
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Seth once again drives to the root of the problem. We crave truth, demand it, reward it. But it is still not what we think it is.
Parenting for Business April 16, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Relationships, Tradeoffs
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I’ve often noted that the experiences and preparation that build our abilities come from unexpected places. So it is with almost any kind of consulting work, in which one must serve in many roles at once – from a coach, to a business partner, to a “doctor” of the ills that affect many organizations. Not to mention being open to learning something yourself along the way.
In many respects, being a parent can prepare you to fill these various roles – and sometimes it works the other way as well. Spacefem’s post expresses some of that commonality, and I completely agree that parenting, like the work environment, is all about persuasion, compromise, and personal balance.
We try hard to choose our battles wisely, to focus only on the few things that matter the most. For many years, like the Miranda act for project managers, I’ve said that, “If you are unable or unwilling to choose a battle, one will be provided for you.” As a parent, this is almost a daily occurrence. As a manager, it is an important reminder that not only must one ruthlessly focus and prioritize, but must quickly be able to switch horses when the next problem comes along.
Qualifiers April 10, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Behavior, Uncertainty
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It’s not uncommon for people to hedge their speech when stating a fact. A fun game is to see how many of these someone can string together in one sentence.
Two Flying Cars March 20, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Aviation, Technology
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There is a real-time demonstration going on right now, as two separate companies strive to meld aircraft with road vehicles. But the demonstration isn’t what you think. It’s not about their respective projects, but about the companies themselves.
Terrafugia is a relatively well-funded startup that now has a flying prototype under its belt. The core MIT crew has a wealth of aeronautical design experience, and is actively working with both the FAA and NHTSA to certify the Transition vehicle as being both air- and road-worthy. They have come a long way, and there is still a long way to go. But they are very close to having a production vehicle in public use. Like another similar company, Icon, they are a team of quick-thinkers who have the means to rapidly test and modify the craft as the weight, balance, performance, and features are regularly traded off. They are a team of true aeronautical entrepreneurs.
Samson Motorworks also has a prototype, just a bit behind Terrafugia’s in 
terms of both funding and airframe construction. They have solid computer simulations of airworthiness, but alas, only a road-based prototype for now. Building a roadable aircraft isn’t easy.
But when we hear about small businesses being job creators, these are the people we’re talking about. Unfortunately, in the early stages of the game, the jobs themselves are in short supply, and they tend not to be stable. In order to work for them, one needs to be a self-sufficient entrepreneur – tolerant of risk and uncertainty. With time, if these designs truly take off, they will become standard outputs of an assembly line somewhere. In many politicians’ minds, those are the jobs they’re counting on. Fine jobs, to be sure, but not the same as the original founders and risk-takers.
The adventure wears off, the science gives way to engineers, which gives way to technicians (as Clifford Stoll might say), which gives way to mere advertising. There is much to be grateful for in security and stability. But there is a passion and a love of the chase in creating something new. I hope these valuable people stay in the game and continue the pursuit of the unusual and the untried. Not for jobs, but for the love of discovery.
American Education? February 28, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Change, Education, Wisdom
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Seth Godin has just posted what he calls a “30,000 word manifesto” on public education. I’m sure that it applies to similar systems anywhere, but it is especially pertinent to us Americans. The problems that he describes are all the more striking when compared with our experiences here in Australia.
With a daughter in high school here, we observe every day the different attitudes toward school, work, university education, and standardized testing. All of us are the products of an educational system that was founded to produce productive citizens. But this comes at a price.
I encourage you to take a look at Seth’s short piece, and think about what we expect of our educational system (and, by extension, many of our other American institutions). He encourages you to comment and discuss this very important issue. We owe it to ourselves.
A direct link to the PDF version is here.
No Right on Red February 10, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Culture, Laws, Norms
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Here in Australia, I realize every day how different the culture is than in the U.S. That may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how quickly one becomes accustomed to a new place.
In the U.S., each state has its own rules of the road, but it turns out that we have a federal law which requires states to allow a right turn on red (as part of an energy conservation plan). I can’t speak for it’s effectiveness related to energy savings, but it clearly keeps traffic moving.
Here in Australia (which, of course, drives on the left), a left turn on red is strictly prohibited. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with either system, and one can’t fault a society for doing something just because “it’s always been done that way.” We all do it. However, it reminds me that of all the small cultural differences between the U.S. and Australia (not to mention the rest of the world), it seems our relationship to our own rules and laws is particularly American.
Perhaps there is something cultural about our need for control, or even perhaps our acknowledgment of preferential treatment. In Australia, there is much more deference to authority and law (I won’t say respect, since it seems to come with some degree of indignation).
Americans seem quite comfortable with challenging authority and even openly flaunting the law – within reason. But it’s even more than that. In a business context, we have “rules” of all sorts that create corporate cultures, policies, and procedures. Americans in general seem more open to challenging these norms and accepting the outcomes, with one caveat: they don’t want to get in trouble for doing so. In other words, Americans seem more willing to accept the explicit consequences of their actions, but not so willing to accept social dishonor or punishment for undertaking the challenge in the first place.
For example, if the U.S. did not allow right turns on red lights, I believe more Americans than Australians would make the turn anyway. The American would face the consequences if he caused an accident, but would probably attempt to argue his way out of a ticket if he was simply pulled over for the infraction. The Australian would accept the ticket with grace probably feel some shame. On the contrary, the American would be more observant for police next time…
There may be something deeper here as well. Like Americans, Australians deeply value the idea of “a fair go.” Everyone is treated with equality and respect, as in America. New rules and laws, though never perfect of course, are assumed to support this notion. On the other hand, while Americans feel very strongly that laws are necessary for a functioning society, they probably think first, “how can I find a way to make this law NOT apply to me?”
From helicopter parents to occupiers, greedy corporate heads to corrupt government officials, it seems that we have built a society that depends to some degree on breaking at least a few laws every day.
Humor as Wisdom October 21, 2011
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Humor, Wisdom
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Humor can be a powerful – or devastating – force in any relationship. Tell the wrong joke, misinterpret the context, execute a cultural faux pas, or generally offend the other party and you can doom a conversation – or a career.
How many politicians have recently been vilified for saying something they thought was witty, only to find out it was a racial slur or otherwise offensive comment? Obviously, one could avoid the situation by never trying a joke or humor.
But that’s boring. No one like a humorless speaker either. Why?
A sense of humor, timing, context, and propriety all work together to make comedy what it is. But these things also provide cues to the listener and even work to build trust. In short, being effectively humorous and being able to tell a good joke mean that you have an understanding of the listeners and know where their boundaries lie. It allows them to be more forthcoming with their own words and for you to therefore learn even more about them.
This isn’t about cynicism, harsh sarcasm, or spiteful speech. It’s about connecting with others through a basic human need to laugh.
Plan, Do, Check, Act October 2, 2011
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Change
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Organizational change is always difficult. The best laid plans will never be a match for individual human variability. Change is messy and merely a series of compromises that gradually bring everyone along on generally the same path.
So when managing such change, it is vital to communicate early and often the plan and the next few critical steps, as well as a few distant milestones. But also make it clear which targets are not set in stone and are subject to their own change as time goes on. Otherwise, you are just another manager selling the “change du jour” with less and less credibility every time the plan is adjusted.
Everyone resists change. Not only that, but those in the organization will seize any chance they can to discredit the agents of that change in order to preserve the status quo. It may indeed be a case of shooting the messenger, but that’s not material to the case. By consistently following the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle (and making it transparent) you can demonstrate that everyone is subject to the same rule of change – flexibility and compromise need not be synonymous with being wishy-washy or a flip-flopper.
Practical Wisdom January 5, 2011
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Ethics, Wisdom
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Doctors, teachers, judges, and lawyers. Police officers, pilots, engineers, and parents. Infinite dependence on their collective wisdom, experience, judgment, and virtue. Ethics, responsibility, authority, and – most of all – a human relationship with those whom they serve.
All for nothing.
Society demands justice when things go wrong. Rules and regulations, policies, penalties, and incentives are put up as hurdles to future “malpractice” – whether intentional or not.
But these rules come with a price. As much as we desire to achieve some utopia of perfect human existence in which no one is immoral or makes mistakes, our tolerance – or rather lack of it – dehumanizes us. As business consultant Alan Weiss once said, “A zero-tolerance policy is another way of saying ‘we don’t trust you to use your judgment.’” But yet, this is where we find ourselves.
I strongly urge you to take twenty-three minutes out of your busy schedule to contemplate what it means when we deny our human need to provide meaningful work and service to others. Not necessarily altruism, but a recognition that we serve other people, not just economic incentives. Those twenty-three minutes might be spent in any manner you desire, but I highly recommend that you try listening to Mr. Barry Schwartz describe how our rules contribute as much, if not more, to our collective moral decline than any one person or group could on their own.
Wisdom, empathy, and human connections form the basis for any meaningful work that we might undertake. Without them, we are truly merely part of an inhuman machine, and it doesn’t have to be that way.
Change the World December 7, 2010
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Change
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What does it mean to “change the world?” What comes to mind when we hear this phrase? Does it mean literally the entire globe, all life, the environment? Or could it be one of countless subsets, from all humanity to a single country, or even just one community? Is it a revolution or more of a step in the direction of some unreachable ideal? Is it a vaccine, or clean water, or democracy? What about education or the internet? Do we all have a part to play in changing the world, or are some of us merely spectators?
If someone truly does change the world – however that might be defined – do they receive compensation commensurate with the change? Does a teacher’s pay reflect their contribution? Does a doctor’s? Do we value something other than change on one hand, but wish for change to occur nonetheless?
Why do volunteers, missionaries, and other non-profit entities seem to have visions of changing the world that for-profit enterprises seem to lack? Does government act as an agent of change, or of stability?
