Tuesday, August 14, 2018

ATTITUDES AND NEGATIVITY – Insurmountable Odds

       In the twenty-six plus years I have been working in IT there has always been at least a hint or small clique of negativity in the workplace, no matter the size of the organization. In thinking of the workplace environment being like an organism much like the human body it is subject to illness not via infection or disease but by negativity and poor morale. This infection will ultimately lead to what can become significant losses in productivity, worsening working conditions and poor customer service. As a leader, combating negativity is an ongoing battle. Don't allow the insurmountable odds take you down! Keep your head up and constantly look for ways to foster an attitude of greatness in your organization. Battle negativity by rising to new heights. More to come on this topic... 

Monday, August 13, 2018

ATTITUDE OF EDUCATION – Be the nudge

      Take steps to grow. Each day we should all be taking the steps necessary to obtain a better understanding of the systems we support as well as gaining a superior knowledge leading to industry certification. In taking these necessary steps, we will not only put ourselves in a superior position to maintain, support and enhance these systems but we will put ourselves in position to provide superior service to the business partners that rely on these systems.  It should always be the mindset of executive leadership to strongly encourage IT personnel to gain the necessary education and skills to grow professionally. It should also be the mindset of executive leadership to provide financial assistance to defray the cost of education. We all need a little push sometimes to get moving in the proper direction, when we can't do it ourselves executive leadership should be there to provide that nudge! Be the nudge today!

Friday, August 10, 2018

ATTITUDES AND NEGATIVITY – Combating Indolence

How many of you know what "indolence" is or how it leads to mediocrity in all aspects of your life, not just your career. Indolence is not only an attitude but a mindset. Indolence or what can be referred to as plain laziness will lead to others perceiving you as such, when this occurs you are limiting your career path and advancement in position. Each day you should be fighting indolence until any bad habits are broken. Remember co-workers, staff and even family are watching you to see how you act and react in all situations. If you did not know what indolence was , perhaps the reason is you were indolent in developing your vocabulary!

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

ATTITUDES AND NEGATIVITY – Dealing with Negativity

      No matter your position in an organization you cannot hang out with negative people and expect to live a positive life. Like I have always told my children “be careful of whom you hang around with”. Other mentors in my life have always said “in most cases you will become like the people you associate with”. In both cases I have found this to be true. If you want to lead a positive fulfilling life at work or personally I would suggest surrounding yourself with positive energetic people! If there are none in your immediate surrounding, change your surroundings or become the positive person that others can gravitate toward.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

AFFECTING CULTURAL CHANGE – Self Evaluation

       Constantly evaluate where you are as an "employee" even though you are considered a leader. You should ask yourself, “am I growing”? Many IT people in general do not know where their future lies. Does it lie in database administration? Does it lie in network security? Does it lie in application management, etc? With this thought in mind I would suggest that it probably does not just lie in one area. It more than likely lies in several to many areas. Over the years I know many people switch roles, gain new skills and keep moving forward. Either way they do not stay at the same level for their careers and neither should you. Keep pressing forward and gain as much knowledge in as many areas as you can. The knowledge you accumulate will become invaluable to you in the future. I had a mentor once that told me “write your own ticket”! I am passing that little gem onto you, go above and beyond and write your own ticket!

Friday, August 3, 2018

AFFECTING CULTURAL CHANGE – Let your light shine

      Let your light shine. Take pride in the work you do and in the leadership, you display.  This means being humble in context but showing pride in a job not just done well, but very well. Accept the accolades your colleagues give you with great enthusiasm and thank each of them for their sincerest thoughts. Be very prideful but not boastful. Everyone knows you went above and beyond in getting the job done already, hence the accolades. Letting your light shine tells your colleagues that you are approachable and more than likely amenable to assisting them with getting an aspect of a job completed since you are more than likely the local expert on that topic anyway.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

AFFECTING CULTURAL CHANGE – Becoming so skilled

       Become so skilled and valuable. Whatever you do, do not become complacent or stagnant in your skill level or education. The worst disservice you could possibly do to yourself and your colleagues would be to quit acquiring new skills to keep up with new technologies and new market demands. We will in most cases always have the required skills to maintain our current systems but with the emergence of new technologies and platforms the need for these new skills will come into play. Become the “go to person”. You want to be the person that everyone comes to when there are questions to be answered and problems to be solved not only for your current systems but for any new technology explorations. Either way you should become known as the expert in your field regarding the systems you currently manage or have access to and the expert regarding any emerging technologies your department may be considering. In any case becoming so skilled will positively affect cultural change, it will inspire others to be like you!

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

AFFECTING CULTURAL CHANGE – Do more than what is required

       Do more than what is required. Raise the bar at work, become a leader in all you do. Having a super attitude and affecting the cultural change around you is a great start, but now back up what you say with visible action -  it is time to walk the walk. For examples, take the extra time to help on a project area that is not yours but you see is falling behind in the project timeline, leave no coworker behind.  Stay the extra hours needed to be prepared for the next business day. Offer your assistance to anyone you see needing extra help.  Make yourself available after business hours for colleagues to ask questions or just chat. Give your personal cellphone number to business partners so they may reach you after hours in case there are questions they need answered right away or maybe there is other assistance you may provide. In any case doing more than what is required will positively affect cultural change.