Re: Teams Leaders what are they, and do we need them? - Extension from Re: [xpAdopti

Hi Ron,

 > It is just this situation that caused me to write the "Petition
 > the King" paper. As an individual programmer, maintaining a
 > king's list might be a good way to report. "OK, here's what
 > I've been asked to do. Here's what's going to get done. These
 > aren't."

I was asked by my boss to attend /his/ boss's staff meetings for 
a while, to record action items and decisions.  (I did note that 
the time how peculiar it was that they needed me for this.)

Though my role did not include butting in, sometimes I just can't 
help myself (as you well know).  One day, the VP (my boss's 
boss), after listening to a round of status reports stating that 
nearly everyone was behind schedule, added a new item:  "Improve 
the way we manage projects around here.  And, of course, this is 
on top of the projects you're already doing."

Dumbass me, I said, "One of the tenets of good project management 
is to keep your commitments within your capabilities.  Your staff 
has just told you they're already overcommitted.  What are you 
going to take off their plates to make room for this new project?"

The VP stammered and blustered a bit.  I think he felt embarassed 
(which I might have predicted if I'd taken a moment to think 
before I spoke).

Several people said, "I was thinking the same thing."

After the meeting, a number of the VP's staff made a point to 
thank me for having the courage to say that.  A few (including my 
boss) said that they were embarassed that /they/ didn't speak up, 
and vowed to speak their truth more often in the future.

So that was another part of the dynamic:  People had lost the 
willingness to say "we're full."

A related factor:  Failing to commit was a sin.  Failing to 
deliver was forgivable.

Dale

-- 
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:    http://www.dhemery.com



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