Re: Re: Do C-Level managers, and business drivers really need to know about XP?

On Tuesday, February 11, 2003, at 10:48:50 AM, Steve Ropa wrote:

> Well, my story was a little long, so I left out some details.  I did discuss how we were answering the
> questions.  In this case, I really feel that I was asking them to answer a question that they didn't want to
> answer.  The feedback really was "we don't want to sign up for the work.  We want you to assign it."

What happens if you say something -- in your own style of course -- along
these lines:

"I'm not going to do that. You know your abilities better than I do. Your
next mission is to sign up for the work. Begin now."


Relatedly, I recall a time when two of my employees were in disagreement
about something that must have seemed important at the time. They wanted me
to resolve it. I wanted them to work effectively together. They came to me
a number of times (zero, one, two, I don't know) wanting me to resolve it.
Each was hoping, of course, that I would resolve the issue in his favor, to
the detriment of the other. Finally I said something -- in my own style of
course -- along these lines:

"I want you two to resolve this in a way that you agree is fair. Tomorrow
morning, come back to me, together, with your solution, and we'll review
it. I'm sure you can resolve this fairly and well. But if you come back
without a resolution, I will resolve the issue in a way that I promise
neither one of you will like at all."

The next morning they came back with a very reasonable solution, and they
worked together far more effectively thereafter.

Ron Jeffries
www.XProgramming.com
"How do I get to XP?"  "Practice, man, practice."


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