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Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Leading With Humility

This post was originally published at Leading-Resources.com.

Famous leaders are often praised for their passion, assertiveness, focus and intelligence. However, when CEOs were asked to name the most important quality people desire in their leaders, they gave a surprising answer—humility. There are several reasons humility is such a major influencer in a leader’s ongoing success:
  • Humble leaders take the focus off themselves. Instead of constantly speaking in “I” and “me” statements, they think in terms of “we” and “us.” This shift in focus communicates to everyone that the leader is working toward the company’s success instead of toward his or her own personal goals.
  • Employees have an easier time trusting humble leaders. They believe leaders with humility will act in the best interest of others.
  • Humble leaders are less likely to micromanage. Prideful leaders believe that nobody can do a job as well as they can. They control every detail, making the organization less efficient, putting more stress on themselves and fueling frustration among employees.
  • Humble leaders take every opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of others. Employees are likely to work harder because they trust that their leaders won’t downplay or claim the credit for their accomplishments. Getting approval and recognition from humble leaders feels more satisfying to employees.

When you lead with humility, people will naturally gravitate toward your ideas and your vision. It’s a basic part of the trust equation: If I know that you are acting in the interest of the entire organization, and not in your own self-interest, then I will reciprocate by doing the same. The result: Better sharing of resources, less conflict between divisions and departments, and better decision making throughout. Long term, this is what builds a leadership culture, where everyone, as I like to say, “runs it like they own it.”

Even if you aren’t known for being a humble leader, it’s never too late to start practicing humility. Start with these three steps:

  • A little self-deprecating humor goes a long way. When you make a mistake, let people know.
  • Practice listening and engaging. Affirm the value of what people say, and guide discussions rather than control them. Ask questions more.
  • Trust employees to take on more responsibility and show appreciation for their efforts. That’s a sure way to demonstrate humility.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

What is the Internet of Things?

From hair brushes to scales, devices are having chips inserted into them to collect and communicate data.

In the broadest sense, the term IoT (Internet of Things) encompasses everything connected to the internet, but it is increasingly being used to define objects that "talk" to each other. "Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together".

By combining these connected devices with automated systems, it is possible to "gather information, analyse it and create an action" to help someone with a particular task, or learn from a process. In reality, this ranges from smart mirrors to beacons in shops and beyond.

It's about networks, it's about devices, and it's about data. IoT allows devices on closed private internet connections to communicate with each other in the same network or even with devices in a different network. It gives the opportunity for devices to communicate not only within close silos but across different networking types creating a much more connected world.

Why do connected devices need to share data?

An argument has been raised that only because something can be connected to the internet doesn't mean it should be, but each device collects data for a specific purpose that may be useful to a buyer and impact the wider economy.

Within industrial applications, sensors on product lines can increase efficiency and cut down on waste.

IoT offers us opportunity to be more efficient in how we do things, saving us time and money. It allows companies, governments and public authorities to re-think how they deliver services and produce goods.

The quality and scope of the data across the Internet of Things generates an opportunity for much more contextualised and responsive interactions with devices to create a potential for continued change.

Where does the IoT go next?

We are looking at a future in which companies will indulge in digital evolution, using IoT, AI and machine learning to rapidly evolve in a way we’ve never seen before.

At the centre of creating a vast, reliable IoT network lies one significant issue: compatible standards. Connected objects need to be able to speak to each other to transfer data and share what they are recording. If they all run on different standards, they struggle to communicate and share. 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Standards Association lists a huge number of standards being developed and worked on for different applications. Additional needs are emerging for standardisation. If standardisation happens it will let more devices and applications be connected.

To try and tackle this issue on an enterprise scale, Microsoft has introduced its own system for IoT devices called "IoT Central". The system gives businesses a managed central platform for setting up IoT devices and Microsoft claims the system will simplify the creation of IoT networks.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Daily Scrum Myths


1 - Daily Scrum as a status report

There is a need (even if it's a small one) for the managers and even the project managers to implement command and control. This is the main reason why many companies are using the daily scrum as a status report.

This way the daily scrum looses its purpose as a team's self-organized meeting and turns to be an evaluation of how the job has been done.

The scrum guide says that the team members use the daily scrum to follow their progress regarding the sprint objective. Another important point is that the scrum master must always remind that the daily scrum belongs to the team members and is up to them to decide how they will drive it.

2 - Daily scrum as problem solver meeting

There is a reason why the daily scrum is also known as a stand up meeting: If the participants have a sit the chances of the meeting extends more than necessary raise significantly.

The scrum guide makes it clear: The daily scrum is a 15 minutes meeting for the team synchronize its activities and create a plan for the next 24 hours.

Many people mistakenly believe that the daily scrum is used for:
- Notify problems to the scrum master
- Discuss a solution for a problem that you had yesterday (that hasn't been solved yet)
- Gather team members to discuss technical issues

Just to make it clear: If you have an impeditive issue that you cannot go through by yourself than you shall ask for help in that moment. Don't wait until next meeting to ask for help ok?

3 - Daily scrum as the only opportunity to update the team's board

You've seen that already, right? The team members wait until the meeting day to move their completed tasks in the kanboard. But wait: For what reason do we have a beautifully strutted board in a place where everyone can see if it stays 23 hours and 45 minutes outdated every day?

When a task is completed move it to the "done" and move the next one to the "doing". Don't wait until the next daily scrum. It doesn't make sense. Remember the following rule: The team's board has to be always up to date. And it's a team's responsibility to keep it this way.

And how's your team's daily scrum?
The daily scrum is incredibly effective if executed right. It is simple and direct, but you need to ask yourself all the time: Do I know why I'm doing it?

To think like this may help you out to always get to the next step.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Are you too busy?


Stop with "I'm too busy"


We’re all just so “busy” these days. “Slammed” in fact. “Buried.” Desperately “trying to keep our heads above water.” "Overloaded"

Busy is a catch all term. When we say "busy," we're really trying to say something else—although what exactly that might be depends on the harried soul that's complaining:

I'm busy = I'm important

Being busy gives people a sense they're needed and important. It's also a sign that you are self-imposing these measures of self-worth by looking at quantity instead of quality of activity. Busyness does not equal productivity.

I'm busy = I'm giving you an excuse

Saying that you're busy is a handy way to outsource your responsibility to your irresponsibility. Since you're always distracted, you don't have to do anything for anybody.

I'm busy = I'm winning

To say that “I’m busier than you are” means I’m more important, or that my time is more valuable, or that I am “winning” at some never ending rat race. What you’re trying to say with these responses is: I’m busier, more in-demand, more successful.

Busyness is not a virtue, it's an error in perspective. It's easy to think that quantity of activities is quality. It allows us to avoid meaningful interactions, commitments, common courtesy, etc.

In this way, busyness functions as a kind of laziness. To combat this mentality you need to be purposeful in your actions. Set goals for your day and make some promises to yourself to be accountable for your activities.

And by all means, use your vocabulary, there are other ways to convey your priorities and availability without using the "B" word. Work smarter, not harder and enjoy your life, people interactions and activities.

 

Give a damn