The engineers in HBO’s “Chernobyl” demonstrate the all-too-real flaws of poor problem-solving: Jumping to cause (and never letting go), refusing to accept data, and focusing on blame. Continue reading Trouble-Shooting Meltdowns
Certified Man of Action Bob Gates was faced with a daunting challenge: successfully implementing a landmark cultural shift in the US Armed Forces – before Congress and President Obama could unsuccessfully botch the same job.
Lessons from the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ can apply to any change effort. Continue reading When Change is the Call of Duty
Former Defense Secretary and Honorary Man of Action Robert Gates salvaged two wars and shook up the Pentagon, while providing valued counsel to both Republican and Democratic presidents.
There are plenty of lessons to be learned from his memoir – about decision making, understanding culture, and getting shit done. Continue reading On Defense: Decisions, Debates, and Duty
Whinging about projects slipping past deadlines is great sport, but good project managers know what actions prevent their initiatives from falling behind.
Throwing up their hands and saying, “It’s out of my control!” is not how a Man of Action does it. Continue reading Take Control of Project Schedules
Pity those who are in over their heads.
But a pox upon those who brazenly don’t even try.
You don’t need to give 109 percent or more to be a Man of Action – you just have to be present. Continue reading It’s All About Being a Man of Action
Ever stand around waiting for a cashier to “get approval” on a return? Eventually, the manager punches his code into the register and walks away – that’s the “approval process”!
Bureaucracy wastes your time (you had to wait for the manager to show), disempowers employees, wastes money, and destroys the human spirit.
So stop doing that. Continue reading The Hunt for Red Tape
Clarifying objectives – that is, understanding the rationale behind expectations – allows a Man of Action to act wisely.
Properly articulating the “why” improves customer satisfaction, response speed, employee engagement, and more.
(Part One of Two) Continue reading What’s The Objective?
B-SPOKE 