First git
The world of open source is truly fascinating to me. People sharing work, and building platforms together, that make it easy for others to do cool stuff easily. When I think about all the people that have contributed to tools I use on a daily basis – eclipse, ubuntu linux, the birt report writer, python, stack overflow, and countless plugins …
The Result-Only Work Environment
I heard about Best Buy’s Results Only Work Environment last year when I was searching for ways to make a work environment more entrepreneurial and engaging. It seems like a such a simple concept – focus on results only, treat people as adults and let them get their work done however they see best – without any mandatory schedules or …
Workplace Cliques
I read an article today on the dark side of cliques – it speaks about how cliques in the workplace can have a negative effect on overall performance. A good approach to break them down is to take them head on, and facilitate open discussions, so people aren’t excluding their co-workers, talking behind their back or leading a negative charge. …
No sense in nonsense
I keep trying to make sense of what happens in my life, as if it ought to. For some reason, it just doesn’t. Reminds me of a quote from Dan Millman’s Peaceful Warrior, where he describes life with three aspects: Paradox, Humor, and Change. Paradox: Life is a mystery; don’t waste time figuring it out. Humor: Keep a sense of …
Want something new?
I have been feeling stuck with my usual sources of internet news. In an attempt to broaden horizons beyond the usual RSS feeds, Digg and Reddit here are some sites with cutting-edge creative content… 10 New Interesting News Announcers Hacker News Arts & Letters Daily The Register Give me something to read Delicious: popular MetaFilter PostRank Stuff.co.nz Feedmil Science Daily …
Don't laugh… this is serious
Apparently Humor at the Office is Serious Business, so much that it is not just about “… clowning around and having fun. It has meaningful impact on cohesiveness in the workplace and communication quality among workers. The ability to appreciate humor, the ability to laugh and make other people laugh actually has physiological effects on the body that cause people …
9pm rule – week 2
My 21 day commitment of turning off my laptop by 9pm is an interesting project. After the first two weeks, I am finding: It forces me to concentrate. Watching the clock tick down, I get things done quickly and efficiently before 9pm. I send more e-mails: I don’t stress over making detailed and comprehensive responses, and am learning to effectively …
Project Communication Tool: 15 Minute Round-up
Over the weekend, a colleague in the in open space retreat I attended suggested a method for communicating project status across a team without long, inefficient update meetings. At the begining of each day, the project team (say 20 people) get together, and in the space of 15 minutes, everyone gives a brief update of what they’re working on and …
21 Days and the 9pm rule
Somewhere, I heard it takes 21 days to develop a habit. So, I started giving myself 21-day commitments to help create change in my life. I believe true change comes naturally when your beliefs change, and the way to change your beliefs is through awareness. The experience of being committed and doing something non-negotiable for 21 days provides awareness of …
Open Space Technology
Seth Godin explores a new standard for meetings and conferences and how to justify the increasing cost and time commitment of travel. Face-to-face contact is much more effective than internet-related conferencing tools and Seth hits an important point that we need to address this effectively. One powerful method Seth missed in his analysis is Open Space Technology. This weekend, I …