Engine for Change launched on 28 December 2009 with a short welcoming post. Since then I’ve written more than 470 posts and Engine-for-Change.com has received more than 122,000 site visits. I can only imagine what the next three years will hold for all of us who are driving change in a world that seems to […]
Almost Three Years Read More »
Ernest via Compfight If you’re local to the Seattle area and you want to check out a new presentation I’m putting together, then join me and the members of the Seattle and Eastside Area Software Process Improvement Network (or SeaSpin for short) at their December 4th meeting in Bothell. The presentation is titled “Engine for
Speaking at SeaSpin on December 4th Read More »
There’s a great line in Admiral H. G. Rickover’s “Doing a Job” speech that reads, In my organization, there are no formal job descriptions or organizational charts. Responsibilities are defined in a general way, so that people are not circumscribed. All are permitted to do as they think best and to go to anyone and
Limited only by his own ability Read More »
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi My trip to Wisconsin to attend my grandfather’s funeral has made me nostalgic for all things Wisconsin, from cheese curds to deer hunting to Lutheran jokes to Vince Lombardi. Now, I should note that my grandfather was a Viking’s fan, so he
Don’t follow it. An unwritten rule by its definition cannot compel compliance. Only written rules can compel compliance, hence a cop may give you a ticket only for violating the written rules. The unwritten rule’s power is found in your willingness to submit to it and your fear of the consequences if you don’t. If
How to Kill An Unwritten Rule Read More »
…”drinking” in the search box of this blog? Two posts come up. Only two? Yes. Only two. The first is about falling into old habits. The second is about tribal leadership and Tribal Leadership. Funny that both posts came up in conversation today, so I thought that was a sign that they needed to be
What happens if you type in… Read More »
The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.” – Douglas MacArthur In honor of Veteran’s Day, let us remember to be brave as those who have served and are serving our
We can look up to figures who came before us, call them our heroes, and attempt in our own small measure to model our lives on their examples. Yet, often we aspire to be like the man or the woman at the peak of their achievement. I don’t think we do this intentionally, but rather
Elections are interesting. There’s finality. There’s joy. There’s sadness. Ultimately, the day after the election some things still have to get done. Who’s going to stop talking about what they are going to do someday or what other people should do? Who’s going to start doing something and clearing the way for others to do
No matter who won or lost Read More »
