Job interviews pro tip: always tell the truth! It’s that simple. When you are telling the truth you don’t have to make anything up or recollect what you said during your phone interview or wrote on your application. The truth is always the same and it doesn’t change. Honesty would provide for an open communication and will facilitate finding the …
Two weeks notice
You have handed in your resignation, your two weeks notice. Now what? First, resist the urge to slack off and tell those few you didn’t see eye to eye with what you really think of them – it’s not wort it. Second, tie up any lose ends, share information and knowledge and work proactively on passing your current responsibilities as …
To succeed you must leave your office
Get out of your office and have your staff do the same. Now, don’t interpret that as not working or simply hanging out, but as a necessary process to grow, learn and become better at our jobs. Each of us must reach beyond the comfort of our core expertise in order to meet people and learn from them. Meet folks …
Remove obstacles and focus on solutions
Remove excuses and eliminate obstacles for others to be successful. This is a very simple view of what leaders must do and in particular what IT teams must do. Technology needs to empower people and provide solutions, not be in the way of people achieving their goals and being successful.
The world doesn’t owe you anything
Stop with entitlement and earn all you want and need. Be humble, work hard and demonstrate knowledge and experience worthy of those things you seek. Furthermore, all of those who think and behave in a way that only they matter should reconsider their actions and understand that most (if not all) things in life need to be earned and are …
Tell me about your worst boss ever
Never speak ill of someone you work for. No matter what may have happened, publicly, you always need to have your boss’ back. Privately, you will hopefully have an opportunity to speak honestly and share your thoughts, ideas and comments. Conversely, don’t allow anyone to badmouth you or your team especially if they haven’t approached you first or have nothing …
Refuse to be ignored
Say it with me: “I refuse to be ignored!” Your future is in your hands so please take necessary actions to ensure your success. You need to be proactive and step out of your comfort zone in order to be noticed and achieve greatness you deserve. At times, these actions might include volunteering to new projects, taking on new challenges, …
Change is inevitable, embrace it
Change is generally a beautiful thing when it means progress, advancement, improvement and growth. If we look at our history of advancements, education and improvements (and focus on the positive aspects) each passing generation has produced value to those yet to come. With this in mind, please continuously seek improvements by dedicating time and attention to improving everything you and …
Don’t chase perfection, chase progress
Perfection is elusive and frequently unattainable. This is why it is important to focus on making daily incremental advancements towards the ultimate goal. Rome wasn’t built over night and neither will most of your projects or strategic and operational services. Collaborate, communicate and work together with your colleagues to advance your current state into what you all believe it can …
Hire your boss!
Hire your boss! While that statement without context is contradictory it does deserve your attention as you advance in your career. While vision, responsibilities, advancement opportunities, position, strategic plans, staffing, benefits and salary are all important, the single most important factor impacting and influencing your future success (besides your own work ethic, commitment and quality) is your boss. Having said …