It's all about people. I am often seen as the "Computer Guy",
but nothing
could be further from the truth. In reality, I am the "People Guy". I do
things with and through other people.
People supply ideas, the most fertile ground for improvement. Most
people want to make things better. They need systems designed to support
them and leaders willing to use their ideas.
People do the work I am intent upon improving. I don't know that
work, they do. It is up to me to work with them so we jointly "see"
how things should or could be. We then work together to make the changes.
People are people, and computers are computers. They each have their
strengths and weaknesses. Well designed systems avoid the weaknesses of
each and use their unique strengths.
When given options, people will always do things the easy way. It is up
to me to make the right way easy, then people will use the right way every
time.
My business is all about Relationships, they are the keys
to my success. Virtually all my projects come to me through the people I
know. They know what I do and trust me to do the right things. This is
what keeps me in business.
I seek long term relationships. I will often forsake short term gains
to better the long term relationship.
Trust is the highest level a relationship can attain. Trust removes
boundaries and makes many more things possible.
Trust can not be demanded or taken for granted, it must first be earned
and then maintained. I know I must demonstrate that I am worthy of trust
before I have any chance of achieving it.
Earning trust takes time and effort, yet it is my
goal.
These core skills are absolutely required for improvement to
take place. The entire improvement process is built on
communications and people. Miss the communications and you often miss the
opportunity. I excel at bringing people together through focus and
improved communications.
Listening is my most often used communication skill. My
analysis and design methods demand active listening. I listen intently to
people, they have the ideas and knowledge I need.
A complex value to be sure. It clearly plays a personal and
professional role in my life.
Professionally, it determines what I will do. As
part of the agreement with my client, I will do the things we agree upon.
I may lead or I may follow, it depends on the project and my role within
it. My client is responsible for allowing me to operate within their
organization, for the willingness to change their processes and for
supplying what the organization needs to change. They always play key
roles in every project and must be prepared to do so.
Personally, I believe in being responsible. This starts
with personal responsibility... being responsible for oneself. I am
responsible for myself, for what I do, for what I say, for my emotions,
for virtually every aspect of me.
Blame, I hate it. I believe if you blame others for your
failings, you are only trying to avoid your responsibility. Further, if
blame is substituted for cause, it will stop an improvement process cold.
If workers think they will be blamed for the problem, you are not likely
to get their help to eliminate the causes of the problem. Beware of
blame !
I believe in making things better every day.
There has been much discussion, training and organizational development
spent on trying to learn Continuous Improvement concepts.
I believe it is time to stop
talking and start DOING.
