End of This Era...

After one year, three months and fifteen days......The time has arrived that I've decided to no longer publish to this Blog. While numbers of the "readership" have remained steady, it's always difficult to determine if anyone is receiving any value from the Blog. It's important to me to provide value, so I'm making a decision now to move on from this particular Blog. It's undecided as to whether or not I'll develop another Blog in an effort to reach out and share my thoughts along similar lines to this one...

I appreciate those of you who took the time to read and especially to those who made the effort to provide comments both on this Blog site, but also and perhaps especially those comments shared -- in person. Of most importance to me was actually seeing a few of my thoughts/ideas take root. It becomes obvious pretty quickly those of you who approach things such as this with an open mind and those of you who are ripe for new ideas and new approaches. I appreciate you!


I stated in more than one Blog post that things in our IT group are and were going to change. Stay tuned folks, more change looms on the horizon... I'm very excited about these developments and firmly believe they get us closer to "having the right people in the right seats on the bus" and in turn position us for helping move Conservation forward from a technology perspective!


Thx again for you time, efforts, and I pray that each of you have gleaned something from these ramblings in the past that will help move Conservation and YOU forward...



TAFN

Is Your Thinking...current?

Must read.

Stretch Yourself...

Wisdom can reveal itself in many ways and from many walks.... Consider this--

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, all is ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, rising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

I have learned deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!'"

-William Hutchinson Murray

The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

No doubt, to some of you....the above makes perfect sense... YOU are exactly what we need to move this Agency forward. We need you...we need your thoughts, ideas, motivation....your DREAMS! The sky is the limit...step up and be bold.

TAFN

Leadership - "Character vs Skills"

Leadership....that very word conjures up many, many different thoughts from everyone of us. Give that word some thought....take a few minutes, right here, right now and think about what that word means to you. Determine your definition of the word...define what this word means to you. I believe eventually if you do think about it...your definition will boil down to attributes related to character traits or skill set.

A recent article I ran across found here gives a pretty healthy description and frankly some well intentioned advice on the topic. While the article may not be for everyone...as no doubt we all know someone might take exception to the Christian references...so be it. I believe what is stated and this is...my blog. So for those of you brave enough to read it...I think there is some perspective there that is worth considering....

So, for those of you who did read...now what do you think? Has your definition of Leadership changed? Do you have a different perspective of what Leadership is? Perhaps your perspective has changed and perhaps it hasn't...it doesn't matter. What I do think matters is that you are exposed to it..the thoughts..the perspective offered. After all, none of us can have too much information in order to make good sound decisions and plot the best course.

What does this have to do with Technical Services that this blog is supposed to be about?? Well, frankly, if I even have to answer that question for you....then you are indeed on the "wrong bus."

Peace!
TAFN

Is Motivation Your Problem or Mine?

Recent exposure to a Carnegie Mellon University Lecture Series (Journeys) has me thinking...and asking several questions. Questions that not only affect me personally and professionally, but also questions and thoughts about the qualities of people that I'd like to have on staff. One particular lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” by Randy Pausch, really hit home with me.

The lecture and subsequent book talks of celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. It urged me to think about my dreams (goals) and how those dreams have helped shaped me into the professional that I am today. I'd urge all of you that have the time to listen in on Randy's lecture (via the above link) to do so. It's truly a thoughtful, articulate, moving presentation. My hope is that it will challenge you to think BACK and thus in turn think FORWARD about who you are, what you are, and where you are heading. A significant point here is that your motivation is important.

Your motivation is what defines you...in every aspect of your life; personal AND professional. I believe that your dreams/goals motivate you to be who you are. My question to you would be: Are you who you want to be right now? I would also offer that whether you are...who you want to be right now is evident to those around you. Your work ethic, your initiative, and your motivation gives signals of whether or not you are who and where you want to be. Your work will reflect that.

Without getting any more philosophical than I already have....I want to leave you with two distinct thoughts/quotes from Mr Pausch that I felt really defined some things:
1) "Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things." and
2) On the topic of critique/criticism and direction: "When you are screwing up and nobody is saying anything to you anymore---it means they've given up on you." So, in essence, view input/critique as beneficial...that mere fact means that someone cares enough about you to offer that guidance. (paradigm shift...!)

Again, if you're inclined and the least bit interested, give the video a look-see...I believe it to be worth your time.

TAFN

WHEW...

Wow, is this summer going by quickly or what? We are well into the month of July, knocking on the door of August already. Of course, the month of July means many things to this Agency....It's the wrapping up of loose ends from the previous fiscal year, the beginning of a new fiscal year, many vacations take place this time of year, and of course everybody's favorite---Performance Appraisal time!

I'm aware many of you have already had your review and we still have a few to go. So for those of you that have been through the process again, what did you think? Was the review process any different from previous years? Was it beneficial to you or just more of the same, putting the time in to let the boss yabber?

My thoughts and direction to the program supervisors going into this years review was to spend some extra time on the reviews. "Let's make the review more accurately reflect twelve months worth of service." I wanted us to accurately document each (or so I say some of) employees strengths AND weaknesses throughout the year. Yea...I know, "isn't that what's supposed to happen?"....but anyone who has ever filled one of those reviews out ...knows how time consuming, labor intensive they can be. So I think the typical approach is to broad brush the review just to fulfill the requirements.

But, I was hoping this year would be different...I was hoping for more depth, a more thorough critique of the abilities, accomplishments and issues we face. If we're "real" with ourselves, we have to admit that...we're not perfect....nobody is. So, I think we need to talk about those things....both the good and bad. I think it's always good to hear a few comments about the things we do right---it's good for the confidence, reinforces we're on the right track, etc....but I also believe it's equally, if not more important not to overlook the things that aren't going right or could be improved upon. Isn't that what real growth is all about?....Improvement? I'd argue that most of us can even improve on many of the things that are classified as acceptable or good in the work we do...Are you looking at your work from this perspective?

That's what I've asked your supervisor(s) to do---evaluate it from that perspective---if everyone's mark isn't in the "exceeds" category----what can they do to improve? That's not an easy thing to do....because even supervisors don't always have the right answer 100% of the time. So it takes extra work....to inquire of others, to dig deep, to ask questions.... But, I firmly believe if we are to move beyond 'good', that's what's required....a good hard honest look.

If you haven't received your review yet...you have a little time to prepare yourself for it...bring questions, ask questions, urge your boss to provide direction, guidance, support, vision, help.... They owe that to you, because I'm expecting it of everyone...so why not position yourself for success. Get out in front and be proactive in seeking that guidance, that feedback...push yourself to grow...in turn this Agency will move forward...and that I believe is a good thing for Conservation!

If you've already had your review and didn't have this type of exchange...make an appointment to get back on your Super's calendar and have a discussion like this. Find out what's wanted, needed and how you fit into it. `Cause if you don't know how you fit into the plan....then likely the plan doesn't include you...at least not very far into the future....

We have some significant challenges this year with the multitude of projects we have....BIG projects that we have. We have very short time lines for deliverable's...that's means compression...that means effort--extra effort, that means working on different projects at the same time...juggling if you will. We NEED to get more done...quicker. Communication is central to success of getting it all done. I believe creativity will play a role in helping us get some of those things done on time...don't bank of using the age old methodology to get something done. Use your heads and see if there isn't another alternative that will enable us to get the project done faster...cheaper. Those ways exist, if we're willing to be open minded and look.

Our IT section has changed over the past 12 months and I guarantee more change is coming over the next 12 months...we will certainly be paying attention to "who's on the bus and what seat they're sitting in." I don't think any rational human could actually think anything else---Look at the world---gasoline is at $3.99 per gallon, grocery prices are high, ....money is tight! So we can't expect money to be thrown into the "black hole of IT"...it won't happen. We have to position ourselves to be responsive, productive, accountable and forward thinking. That's exactly what we're trying to accomplish by working through each and every one of you!

We are trying to streamline our workforce. We are trying to position our self for current and future workloads. We are trying to be fiscally responsible in all areas of IT including personnel services. I anticipate some job description changes in the future....we need to position folks to target the pain points of the Agency. Let's face it...IT has changed and we can't expect our "traditional" staffing solution to move us into the future.

I'm excited about anticipating the changes to come. I view change as a necessary requirement to be responsive and of value. I hope you too are excited about the future and the role you will play in moving this business forward from an IT perspective. Stay tuned, stay plugged in, be informed and be productive!

TAFN

Fourth Big "R"

Numerous times I/we've discussed or kicked around thoughts of how to be better, how to improve...what things we could do, do differently, or even NOT DO...to move forward. Here's another dimension that I'd urge you to consider and it's Too good not to share! (Thank you SS!)

TAFN

Falling Forward...

Anyone who’s been around me much will likely acknowledge that I use the term “moving forward” when describing productivity effort and output. I’ve used that phraseology many times to describe what I consider baseline criteria for any effort we might be discussing. In fact a recent conversation I was having I stated that my determination of success isn’t always measured in the fulfilling of the predicted outcome. Sometimes success can be measured in the forward movement, my exact words, “I won’t complain that we have fallen (short of goal in this case), as long as we have fallen FORWARD.” My thinking here is that as long as we’re trying to move forward, push the envelope, and make progress then I can be satisfied many times with that effort.

But, if we fall short by sitting on our hands or because we’ve not put 100% effort into the task…well then it’s a different story. The very nature, essence-if you will, of IT is that it’s new frontier in nature. Technology is different, new, challenging…all rolled up in one. We must expect some failures along the way…new frontiers don’t have defined boundaries or a template in which to work from.

To relates some of the thoughts above to a Outdoorsman analogy….a friend told me a long time ago as we were fishing in a Bass Tournament in Arkansas and I was struggling with losing several lures in heavy cover….he said, “Jim, don’t worry about it, if you’re not losing a few lures when you fish…then you’re not fishing for the big fish in the right spots.” His point was that I should expect to lose some lures once in a while if I really wanted to catch the big fish…fish that tend to find homes in heavy cover. It’s no different for us working in the IT arena…we should fully expect some projects to be slow in developing, some projects to be late, some projects to be over-budget and even some projects to …fail. Yes, fail!

We won’t be pushing the envelope or reaching out towards new frontiers if we can guarantee success every single time. Why? Because the future holds NO GUARANTEE’s! In an effort to be creative and to find new ways to solve old problems or even ways to solve new problems, the boundaries aren’t defined. We must develop them along the way…they are unpredictable. If we are truly pushing ourselves and this Agency forward…we will experience some shortcomings…but those shortcomings could and should also serve as a learning tool for us. Any and all “failures” should be a learning experience…although the project may not be completed exactly as we had originally thought…we must learn along the way…we must be willing to adjust our plan as new ideas and new technology develops.

A new project currently underway within the Desktop Technology group currently is to automate the IT ordering process for customer. The projects original concept was to put an online ordering system in place that allows customers to order IT related goods….to automate as much as possible of the manual process(s) that we have today. Obviously the intent here is to eliminate as much of the manual effort as possible and free up value staff time---both on the IT side, but also on the customer side. We are trying to “work smarter”…to find other ways to get the work done with less staff. I believe this project is a definite step in the right direction. Will it be 100% successful and eliminate all current manual effort…likely not the first go around…in fact there could quite possible be some things that don’t work as well as we hoped for originally. But, if that turns out to be true…I will still consider it a relative success…in that “if” we fall in this endeavor…we will be falling “forward”…we will moving in the right direction.
And frankly I’m willing to suffer some failures along the way if we fail while trying to move this Agency forward from a technology perspective. I believe there is value in that…the vision and the effort. Good will come out of those failures if we are willing to support those failures as valid attempts to grow and move ahead. It’s called risk…risk vs. benefit. There is benefit in risk taking…because many times we do (and have) succeed.

We cannot be afraid of failure….not in this line of work. If you are failure phobic…then you quite likely may be in the wrong line of work. It’s best summed up by Albert Einstein: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ..and to help frame the perspective I’d like for us to follow: quote by Thomas Edison: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work

Keep pushing on folks….you ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE for this Agency…

Thank you!

TAFN

Post for the day....

I couldn't resist putting this one out there for those that may take the time to check in here today. I'd encourage all of you to dwell on the thought for a few minutes and see if there is any insight for you in the words...

Oswald Chambers said, "The enemy of best is good."

TAFN

"Life Isn't Fair..."

As adults no doubt most of you have heard one or more adage uttered from the elders in your life. Spoken thoughts or feelings such as: "You only live once.", "You get what you put into it.", "Bad things happen to good people.", or "Life isn't fair", ...and no doubt many, many others.

I'd like to focus primarily on one that weighs heavily on my heart, for more than one reason... "Life isn't fair..." This one has always seemed set apart from many of the others I've heard over my life time, distinct and separate for some reason. Life isn't fair....

Human nature I believe tends to lean towards and even dwell on the negative aspects of many things, including life in general. It's relatively easy to spot when you talk with someone. The conversation often degrades into looking and talking about the bleak side of...things. You've had those conversations before where the person you're talking with just seems to focus on the negatives... I'd ask you to think about how that makes you feel. Does it make you feel; interested? sympathetic? apathetic? Likely that will depend a great deal upon the relationship you have with the other person and the context and content of the discussion, right? And, it would have something to do with how negative the person is...how compelling the subject is to you, etc.

No doubt every one of us has had something in our life that we could speak to in terms of "Life isn't fair"....some unique pain or trauma we've suffered...or worse yet, one that someone we love greatly has suffered. I'd argue that if you live long enough you will eventually run into one of those situations and even perhaps mutter the words.

So what does that have to do with Technology? or the work we do at MDC? PLENTY, I would suggest. Your attitude, how you handle stresses, how you interpret and respond to negativity, words that come from your mouth, things you talk about in public, etc...all of those things are a reflection of you and the work you do. Because of the work we do, we are heavily involved with other people--MDC employees (customers), vendors, contractors, etc....we deal with PEOPLE...A LOT! Which in turn means, we are "on display"....for instance, more folks will likely know our Help Desk staff than the numbers of people who would know who the Conservation Agent is in Pemiscot County...it's about exposure. We as an IT group are 'exposed' often. Our work is on display for everyone to see...everyday.

So, it's not hard to make the leap from high exposure to why it's important we conduct ourselves professionally. When we run into those situations where we feel life (someone/something) is taking advantage of us or treating us unfairly...how we respond to those situations is what others see. Closer to home--paycheck--what are you saying about the check you bring home, likely something to the effect of "it's not enough." or what are you saying about the high workload you have? or what are you saying about the new technology that is being brought into this organization? Are you supportive? or are you propagating a negative component to one of those?

Perhaps your stance is that you're not being treated "fairly" or even "Life isn't fair".... Ya know, perhaps it isn't...but whose milestone is being used to measure? Probably yours, right? Humans tend to make everything about them...it's all about "me"...so anything that happens to them or around them is measured around the "me." What or how does this impact me? Is it good for me? Will it be more work for me? or What's in it for me?

"IF" I've described you...then I'd challenge you to give some thought, serious thought, about trying to change that attitude. Your representation of Conservation, of Technology, of yourself, is on display. While you may think that "Life isn't fair" to you....I can almost certainly guarantee that someone else has a bigger problem...a more significant issue they are wrestling with...guaranteed. While it may be tough to focus on the positives when it seems so many negatives are piling up against you....it's scientifically proven it helps to remain positive and upbeat. Give it a try!

While there may be some truth to "Life isn't fair".... who ever promised you it would be? I've never read anything, anywhere or heard anyone who control ALL things tell me that life WOULD BE FAIR!

Attitude, particularly a good positive attitude that is supportive of fellow workers, the organization you work for, and the decisions that are being made is important. It will help define WHO you really are. Accepting the fact that you aren't the only one making the "call", but rather a team member who can HELP make that call, or support the call...is really the measure of success, AND the milestone by which you/I will be judged in many cases. How you respond when those tough times materialize will define you...and US!

TAFN

Bus Members...

From time to time I compelled....drawn to... revisit some of the Jim Collins materials (website and book). In some ways it revitalizes me...in some ways it depresses me because I feel like some folks still "just don't get it..."

Take this excerpt from article by Jim Collins titled: "Good to Great and the Social Sectors."

Yet a finding from our research [key word here folks, research...not an opinion or hypothesis] is instructive: the key variable is not how (or how much) you pay, but who you have on the bus. The comparison companies in our research—those that failed to become great—placed greater emphasis on using incentives to “motivate” otherwise unmotivated or undisciplined people. The great companies, in contrast, focused on getting and hanging on to the right people in the first place—those who are productively neurotic, those who are self-motivated and self-disciplined, those who wake up every day, compulsively driven to do the best they can because it is simply part of their DNA.

Don't get me wrong...I believe as well as most that compensation is a KEY ingredient in motivation (no, not always #1) but the point being made here is that it doesn't matter how much you pay someone who doesn't care or isn't committed...it won't make your Org. better. A core concept for success once again is ...."Getting the right people on the bus!"

I find so much satisfaction in reading and hearing that concept...frankly because I firmly believe it's central towards becoming the best you can be. If you settle for something less...well...then you are....settling for something LESS. I know of companies that believe and LIVE the "Good to Great" concepts...and honestly they are some of the finest companies I know of....hmmm, maybe something to that....

I leave you today with a question: Are you, "...productively neurotic, ...self-motivated and self-disciplined, ...(do you) wake up every day, compulsively driven to do the best (you) can because it is simply part of (your) DNA." ???

TAFN

Planning...

I've been spending more time than I care too recently trying to figure out ways to stretch my family budget. Gasoline prices @ $3.49 per gallon, milk per gallon is over $4, hamburger prices are up and my latest car insurance statement reflects a 5% increase in premiums (and we're a four car family!). It seems that EVERYTHING is costing my family more. As a result, we are spending much more time consciously thinking about ways to save some money...we need every penny to help pay for something else that has gone up in price!

We are reducing the number of times we run here or there for things we "want" but may not "need." We're working hard with our children to impress upon them the need to limit vehicle trips. We've even gone as far as to actually suggest they stay at home one night per week (this was a much bigger deal to them it seems) instead of "on-the-go" seven days per week. We are combining trips to include shopping for groceries, gas fill ups, video return, etc. Yes, money has become tighter and frankly the forecast for the immediate, foreseeable future doesn't look much better for any of these costs to fall.

So in essence, my family and I are PLANNING. We are giving conscious thought to how much money is coming in and where it's going out. Not that this is a revelation for us...we've always lived on a budget---the diff here is that we seem to have much less predictability over what our costs will actually be. When gasoline jumps 5, 10 or even 22 cents per gallon over night---it's tough to predict a monthly gas account. And then there's the grocery store....I've seen prices jump 10-20% on items during the course of a few days....on a several hundred dollar per month grocery bill--that jump can really add up. We are "on the hunt" for bargains...for ways to reduce our budget impact...lower priced items...or even not buying some less important "things."

You might be saying OK Jim...you're not telling me anything new...we are doing the same exact thing! My reply is COOL!, Great!....that's what I was hoping to hear. That means you understand budget limitations...the issues with needless or foolish spending during times of budget pressure!! Carrying your personal situation over to your work now.....things are becoming tighter for MDC now too. Revenue forecast aren't looking the best...that means tighter, leaner budgets. That means we must get much smarter about how and where we invest/spend our limited resources.

Let's face it folks.....it should always be that way...but we know human nature. When money influx seems to be pretty good, our decision making usually changes...purchases may be made that during tighter/leaner times wouldn't. Well so our current and immediate future seems to point to leaner times now...so we MUST adjust our thinking and how we conduct business. No different that you do at home.

Bring your home thought process over to your job....are you looking for ways at work to reduce costs? Are you trying to save money? Is it a conscious thought process you have every day??? ...like it is at home? If it isn't...it should be! At every level in this Org. employees are expected to contribute to working smarter and that includes financial aspects too.

Certainly the work we perform in IT can contribute to helping save some Agency greenbacks too. We should working diligently towards finding and implementing technology that could provide, at minimum, the same worker productivity level (or better yet improve it), while saving money. Look at service contracts...is there a better way to get service? Should we purchase spare hardware and drop some service contracts? What about boning up on your negotiation skills....negotiate for lower prices on hardware/software and other IT costs....push vendors to give us better pricing. Drive less---no brainer! THINK! and re-think business processes...how can we gain some efficiencies?

I challenge each of you...apply some of the thinking you do at home to save some of "your" money ...to help save "our" money. Put on your thinking caps and think EFFICIENCIES, Productivity gains, better processes, streamline...etc.

I eagerly look forward to hearing and seeing the results of your focused attention at helping to "work smarter"

TAFN

Who's Driving...

It's been a long dry spell as to my posting to this Blog...for a number of reasons. Numerous changes within the IT Org at MDC has kept my focus and time elsewhere...and then there's just pure laziness I guess....

Wow, lots of things new for me as I moved back into the Network Services program administration role and assumed the duties of the Telephony and Radio (Telecommunications) Program. Catching up on the projects the Network folks have been working on was dwarfed by the need to learn more about the Telecommunications efforts. Ya know, you think you have an idea as to what's going on and generally the basics of what someone is doing....I'm hear to tell you...you really DON'T until you walk in their shoes.

So now that the small re-org has taken place.... what changes for you? Initally not too much and that should have been evident for those of you that are keeping score. But, going forward, now that I've had a little time to acclimate myself to the programs---I see some definate need to re-evaluate some direction, programs, and processes we do. Anything and everything is possible....the intent of any changes of course are to improve Conservation. So that will be my focus....how can we do that. What changes can we implement that will bring about faster service, better service, improved response time, allow us to have more time for R&D, get more done, bring new technologies to bear, etc......all a focus moving forward.

I'm interested in opinions, thoughts, perspectives...general input from those involved in any "Network Services" Program. You can have a say in the future direction, but only if you're willing to speak up. I'm visiting with staffers internal to these programs and even external folks to gleen insight...I'll use those thoughts to help mold improvements down the road. So if you have something to say----I'd love to hear it. Look at it this way.....if you could change anything in this group....what would that be?

Will there be changes? You bet! When, how much, how wide spread, etc will be part of the evaluation and subsequent planning stages. But, I'm convinced that change is neeeded.

What part of that change are you going to be? Are you going to be one that is driving that change for improvements...or are you going to sit back and leave the driving to someone else? Be forewarned those who ride could incur a charge---perhaps you'll recall an older adage: "No one rides for free..." I read an article yesterday titled: "Who's Driving Quality Today?"...as I read that I thought of the work we do here....ask yourself that question---Is the answer you?

The point is...we are going to implement some change...you can either be an active partner in bringing about that change or you can be pulled along dragging, kicking, and screaming. Change is inevitable....if we're not changing, we're standing still...and I see little value in standing still.

There shall be more discussion on this topic in the coming days, weeks, months....some here on this Blog...some in person. Stay tuned, be alert, be aware, be a part....of the future.

(For the readers in the crowd...consider Driving Change )

tafn

Drought...

It's been a bit of a dry spell for me contributing to this Blog site....all of you are aware, quite a bit of change going on within our own little world of IT internal to the Organization. Still not completely free from the fallout of the changes we're starting to settle in and address what needs to be addressed. Rest assured, IT Management will be paying close attention to the changes and looking for more ways in the future to streamline and drive efficiencies.

I'm truly excited about the recent changes and firmly believe these will help make Conservation better in the future..... "better" = positioned for improved responsiveness and positioned for the direction that IT is heading. i.e. the move towards integrating Voice/Data network service staff. If you're paying attention, the "real world" is merging what used to be disparate networks. VOIP is forcing the skill set of technology folks to change, to meld in some cases. Changes to unfairest, hardware/software, and building construction are being to show up in Conservation as a result of these technology advances. Changes in staff and staff responsibilities are a given if we plan to at LEAST maintain some sort of parallel with the world. Our customers are changing and we must change/adapt as a result.

The real value here I think is to anticipate that change and then position yourself (in this case IT staff and technology inside MDC) to respond. Put the right people in the right places as much in advance of the "need" as you can...and the resulting impact will be a much smoother transition for ...almost everyone. That's a challenge for many of us in the technology world...while many will profess that they embrace change and welcome it....I can tell you first hand that sometimes those words are nothing more that lip service. IT staffers as much as anyone else can be less than enthusiastic about being resilient in the face of change. Where do you fall in this spectrum?...Do you profess that change is good,--- good up and until it's change that affects you personally? Or are you one that leads the charge towards change and implementing it--even if that means you must change/adapt yourself?

The fact remains, recent changes in our IT structure will likely be the tip of the iceberg. Those of you who know me...really know me...have heard me make comments about "The Face of Change." I believe in my heart that in order for Conservation to continue to be successful in the years/generations to come...that we must be about change...in affect Conservation, specifically Missouri Conservation should be that "Face of Change."

Closer to home, we in IT can be some of those faces of change. We can model it, we can BE IT. Growth is all about change---change is innate to growth....nothing stays the same if it grows. Don't we want Conservation to grow? To be more than it is today? IT is at the forefront for helping to lead Conservation into that growth spurt---especially when it comes to communications to and with constituents, our public, our supporters. THEY are certainly changing! We can help provide the conduit for other workers in Conservation to effect change...every day!

A recent article I was reading asked this: "Does your organization [read MDC IT here] drive business change or simply just respond to it? Success in today's business environment can rely heavily on an organization's ability to seize the opportunities that arise as a result of change." Can you see the value for us (MDC IT) to be a part of this? Do you see the value in helping drive some this change, versus just responding to it?

I hope you can because I firmly believe that it's people like that who will be leading this Organization into the future...

TAFN

Not Just My Thoughts....afterall....

Hmmmm....if I didn't know better I'd say this article succinctly captures many of the things I've been trying to get across in this Blog for some time now. Give it a read and some thought...then put on your red thinking cap (the one with the big N of the front---the one K.K. says stands for "knowledge") and see what application it has for you...and more importantly what it means to you and the work you perform in this Agency.

....I can't wait to see the innovation and suggestion that materialize as a result of your thought...

TAFN

Passion...

Happy New Year everyone! I trust the Christmas season and New Year's holiday was as rewarding as the effort you put into making it that way!

Over the course of time recently, I've been wresting with several questions...perhaps some might call it my "mid-life crisis"...whatever the reason--I have found it to be challenging me personally and professionally. The areas of my thinking revolve around these words: Passion, Servant/Servant hood, Ownership, and Leadership. I'm convinced the longer a person lives and the more experiences they have...the more confident and retro- AND intro-spective they "can" become. I believe those who really care about making a (positive) difference and those who are willing to put in the effort to effect change go through similar personal exercises....or else what is the value?

Anyway back to my point...These four words have haunted me over the past several months. I've begun to evaluate almost everything I do in light of how I feel about those words. I'm convinced the four words reflect who and what a person is! The measure of success; the commitment of the person; the type/quality of work;... almost everything about someone is revealed if you look at how those four areas/words are viewed or demonstrated IN and BY that person.

Don't believe it....try it sometime. Evaluate someone with those four words in mind sometime and see if it doesn't give you a more clear picture of their intent, their level of commitment and even their motives! Take passion for example--I would offer that those who are truly passionate ("having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling") about something are more committed to its successful outcome. If someone cares enough or strongly enough about it, they tend to work harder to achieve it. Efforts by that person tends to be directed or targeted towards something they are passionate about. In essence they word harder, more effectively, smarter, whatever to make that passion come to be.

OK, maybe passion is easy you say....lets look at ownership then---Pick another subject...evaluate what you know about them in terms of how you see ownership demonstrated in them. Are they more willing to ensure success in something they feel they have a tie (or ownership) to? Do you see examples of this?...I believe we all have and we all do in our own lives. Those things in which we feel we have an ownership to, are the things we tend to put more emphasis on, we care about "it" more...we work harder for "it", we arrange other things around "it." Perhaps you are now able to see that many are even passionate about things they have "ownership" in.

OK, OK...maybe so...then how does servant/servant hood and leadership play out? Well we could take these two words and write a dissertation on it, but I'll try to be brief. Again from my perspective...I think you cannot truly Lead anyone or anything without being willing to be serve (be a servant) to someone/something else. The scope and scale of the ability to Lead is defined by the demonstration of the commitment to. How else can a leader (or one who desires to be) know the things that should/could be done without having submitted themselves to a higher offering at some other time. By being a servant here, I mean giving oneself to a greater cause----realizing perhaps that the world doesn't revolve around me--there is something bigger, better...maybe a greater good. In doing so, we can then recognize our place in relation to "it" and as such can then devise a plan as to how we fit into "it"...how we can then contribute...how we can move "it" forward.

Whew!! you're probably saying....some mumbo, jumbo there Jim... Maybe so, but I'd challenge you to give some thought to what've I've said (if you can understand any of it). Evaluate who and what you are in this Organization via those four words. I believe it will shed some light (insight), into your work life...and perhaps even you life in general. Are you passionate about what you do today? If not, then maybe you should rethink your priorities because if you don't care about what you're doing today, your work output will reflect it. Ask yourself---"have I ever been passionate about anything?" Identify what it was/is--what about it made you feel that way---what skill set were you using, what environment were you in, what work, what people were around you, etc, etc. I'd challenge you to find that passion---that is what is going to make you the most happy and most productive.

Maybe the way you are doing you job today isn't really rewarding for you. I'd suggest you think about the things you're passionate about see if there isn't a way to weave those into what you do at work. Perhaps you're passionate about learning, gaining new ideas, etc....then perhaps you can work in ways to read more about new or emerging technologies---or maybe you're passionate about people, getting to meet new folks, etc. Then make a tie to that and your job, find ways to interact--perhaps it's a training role you're suited for. We all know we can certainly use new ways of teaching/exposing people to technology....suggest it to your supervisor--I'll bet they'll be willing to listen to your suggests if they sense enthusiasm on your part and you can paint the picture of how it will benefit MDC.

I think in many ways, many of us are committed to the work/ideology of Conservation work---we are willing to submit ourselves to seeing those basic beliefs of clean water, wildlife resources for future generations, educating people on conservation practices, etc--whatever....we are being a servant to that mission. WE are willing to alter our lives to some extent to ensure its success. As a result we can have ownership to that success...we want Conservation and the things we do to be successful--or at least we should.

We have the perfect opportunity to bring to bear those four words in our work environment...should we choose to. If we choose not to, then I would argue it's time to consider something else to do, because you won't (can't) be as productive as someone who is.

Give it some thought...are you committed to Conservation Technology? Are you passionate about it? Are you interested in finding new ways to help those in the trenches get their work done faster, better, cheaper through the use of technology? Do you care enough to go the extra yard to find solutions, to help others find solutions...?

Believe it or not--everything I've talked about to this point reflects your heart. If your heart is in "it"...it shows, its obvious to those around you. We need people in this business who are passionate about Conservation, and/or, Technology, and/or Wildlife, and/or Forestry, and/or Fisheries. Real value is derived from those who are driven towards Conservations successes. I hope that includes you...if not, it's time for some soul searching and time to find ways that you can become more involved to the extent that you do care about the outcome...

TAFN