Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips Why is it that people ask questions when they don’t want to hear the answers? Let’s go in reverse order here. Result: Dead silence. My Answer: I want to work with good, smart people on difficult problems whose solution enhances national security. Recruiter’s Question: What is it you like to do? What […]

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by Dwayne Phillips For 30 years persons have asked me questions about analysis. I continue to give the wrong answer. “How are your analysis skills?” I remember the question as if was asked this morning. I was coming out of grad school and trying to find a job. It was 1986 (yikes, that long ago). […]

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by Dwayne Phillips Another fundamental question in systems engineering. Like the rest of the questions, ask with caution. Ever ask the titular question at work? Ever ask it out loud and expect an answer? Perhaps you are a systems engineer. Perhaps your workplace needs a systems engineer. The question seeks to find the reason behind […]

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by Dwayne Phillips There is a fundamental question to ask in analyzing and engineering systems. Why don’t we use it more often? A: We put this into the system. B: And then what happens? A: Well, now the system can do this great function for the users. B: And then what happens? A: For one […]

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by Dwayne Phillips Questions are just questions. No offense intended. “No, I am not trying to be mean. I am asking questions to learn as there are some things I don’t know, but would like to know. Please help me understand.” “I apologize if you think I am de-railing your presentation. I am seeking clarity.” […]

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by Dwayne Phillips Want to be something? Ask a simple question and live the answer. Twenty something years ago, Robin Williams was in the movie “Mrs. Doubtfire.” He impersonates a woman and gets a job as a nanny to his former wife so he can be near his children. He is the best, most fun, […]

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by Dwayne Phillips I am not a reporter asking a political candidate a question. I actually expect the other person to hear and answer the question I ask. What is wrong with me? I am currently taking a series on online classes. I ask questions in these classes. I am paying for these classes. I […]

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by Dwayne Phillips Sometimes the news has a sharp, pungent taste or smell. Short and sweet is a fond, old cliche. Gosh, wouldn’t real life be better if most news were short and sweet? Sometimes that is not life; sometimes the news in life is short and bitter. So, let’s attempt to learn something from […]

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by Dwayne Phillips Forget the old cliche about stupid questions. There ARE stupid questions, and hiring managers have asked me a bunch of them. I’ve been interviewed for jobs a dozen times There are stupid questions, and hiring managers ask them all the time. First, don’t ask the person to solve your problems. This is […]

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