Agile
Agility ≠ Speed (via SWLW)
This article posits an interesting physics analogy: speed has magnitude and direction. It’s not sufficient to build software faster if you’re not building it in the right direction. “That is what the word agile entails. It is not simply achieving a sustainable speed in an optimal direction; it is being able to change both speed and direction, and to do so easily.”
Gratitude
Giving Thanks at Work: An HBR Guide (via HBR)
Do it sooner rather than later, make it personal, talk more about them than yourself, and encourage others to do this.
Leadership
When Your Authority Fluctuates Throughout the Day (via HBR)
“For many of us, the power we feel at work — how much, when it occurs, and around whom — can fluctuate. This can result in a surprising increase in stress and a decrease in well-being. To address this, consider these strategies for making power imbalances more manageable. First, be deliberate in scheduling your tasks to cluster activities with similar levels of power together. Second, give your work a routine and consider “theming” together days with similar activities. Third, create a role-transcendent identity in order to embrace your different levels of power. And finally, work to actively manage your well-being.”
Project management
Make Megaprojects More Modular (via HBR)
Sometimes the latest and greatest innovations may not yield a good ROI and are inherently more risky (i.e., likely to fail). Tried and tested techniques with modularity (being able to interchange parts) helps deliver non-zero value sooner.
Talent management
Manage Your Talent Pipeline Like a Supply Chain (via HBR)
- Work actively to draw from a broader talent base
- Invest in “growing your own”
- Implement fundamental principles of supply chain management