Training or Learning?
Many training classes are designed to reduce variation—to ensure that people approach a task the same way. These classes reduce variety another way. They’re designed for people in a particular functional role or specialty. Think programming language classes,...
Mess or Problem?
Most of us in the software field are problem solvers. When we face a problem, we try to solve it. But some problems are vexatious—they don't stay fixed. In that case you may be facing many problems that are all tangled together—a mess. The Zeroth Rule of Problem...
Solving Other People’s Problems
I love to solve problems. Most people I've met in software development love to solve problems too. When you develop skill at problem solving, you get bigger, more complicated problems. These problems are given to you by someone such as the product owner, your boss and...
What Is Congruence?
At its very simplest, you might think that congruence means “say what you mean and mean what you say.” However, that definition has real limitations. Consider a conference session I attended. Brad, a consultant, stood at the front of a packed room, and shared stories...
It’s Not About You
Most of the time, people pursue a new idea because they can see how it will help them. Recognizing and internalizing this simple truth will help you expand your influence skills. Don’t just tell people why you think your idea is a good one. See the world from their...
Influencing Requires a Relationship
To generate a result that exceeds our limits, we need other people to join our cause. We use influence to get others on board with us. Many ways to influence others exist. Recall when someone influenced you to join their cause. What influenced you? Often the...
Reciprocity
Reciprocity is a strong social norm in most cultures. People tend to respond to positive actions with positive actions. In other words, when someone does something beneficial for us, we feel inclined to reciprocate and do something beneficial for them in return....