"Progress is a double edged sword" From the film Hidden Figures. Meaning congratulations on building the self service check out till but you've also just put people out of a job. In a similar vein we can lump the Manhattan project. But it's funny how the costs of progress are rarely considered as we race … Continue reading Costs of progress →

Here's how I would redesign committees. One person, the chief troublemaker and the most passionate about making change, drafts up a plan. They then send this draft to the other 'committee' members for FEEDBACK not approval. The primary ruckus maker takes the feedback into account, makes changes if needed and proceeds to publish the draft. … Continue reading Redesigning committees →

Their reputation preceded them. So much so, that it actually prepared the room for them. Their imminent arrival will put everyone in the vicinity on edge. So that when they enter their mere presence will add tension. They need not utter a syllable and the air will be thick with anxiety.

Whilst you're humming and hawing about whether or not you'll write the piece your brain is all distractions and doubt.But when you firmly commit to writing the piece the most amazing switch happens.Your brain changes tack at lightning speed.Now that you have decided you're going through with it, all of a sudden it's finding options … Continue reading Humming & hawing off →

I think the 'Why?' question serves different functions in an organisational setting. When it is between two individuals of the same status it is usually in the form of a complaint. 'Why the hell are we doing this task. Surely this is someone else's job!' But when the Why is run up the flag pole … Continue reading Why? →

I think in order to work well with others you need to excel at adaptation. With each new colleague/teammate/agency/employee you need to be ready and willing to modify to make the relationship work. You need to make tiny adaptation sacrifices in order to please the efficiency gods. "Aideen would be a much better attacking threat … Continue reading Adapting relationships →

Elevators used to be so hard to work that buildings employed lift operators. Today self check out tills have become commonplace. A phone operator job used to be considered a secure career. Rumbas are vacuums that will clean your house of its own accord. It might seem like a conspiratorial exercise but the rate of … Continue reading Automation ascending →

When you're walking down the aisle and getting choked up, a distraction is a good short term snap-out-of-it tactic. And I would say it's relatively harmless in the moment. But I think the danger is when distraction becomes the default for any emotional reaction. If that happens then I think the dam will be near … Continue reading Distract deep emotion →

The evil robots were fast approaching. The tanks from a nearby ledge were sending heavy gun fire my way. My health was depleting fast. The time to move was now! And yet the narrow walkway that would take me to safety couldn't have looked more intimidating. You see there was a giant drop on either … Continue reading False Evidence Appearing Real →

Bert did such a good job fixing my laptop that his reward is exclusive rights to all my future laptop problems.He showed himself to be so capable that not only has he earned my requests for life but I also became an advocate for his services.I believe proving yourself in such a manner can be … Continue reading Bert’s fixing skills →