Working Up

Working Up in Project Management, Systems Engineering, Technology, and Writing

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Entries Tagged as 'Work'

The Easier Way

August 20th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips When in doubt, take the easier way. That seems to be the norm. We bumped into some odd situations this week at work. Four months ago, something was supposed to happen. Something major was supposed to happen. Nothing happened. Actually, nothing appeared to happen. Major things did happen. Several persons acted decisively. […]

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Tags: Decide · Work

This Project vs. the BIG IDEA

August 13th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips What interests me today? The project that I am working today? Perhaps not. I know I am working on this project today, but it is just another project. Sure, I want it to succeed, but really, it’s just another one. What really interests me is finding the BIG IDEA. That thing that […]

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Tags: Ideas · Management · Work

The Art of Requesting Assistance

June 25th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips We all need assistance in our work. There are requests for assistance that bring assistance. There are requests for assistance that bring nothing. We all need assistance in our work. Persons who can do their job well all the time are stalled in a job that doesn’t challenge them. There are requests […]

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Tags: Respect · Talk · Work

Just In Time, Head Scratching, and Congruence

June 22nd, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips People differ in work styles. Failing to admit such is failure. Let’s discuss our difference and work. We turn in products on schedule, sometimes literally at the last hour. Well, what’s the problem? The products are on time. And many are fine with that. If you finish ahead of time, you show […]

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Tags: Adults · Communication · Competence · Resources · Respect · Work

Hiding Information and Ignorance

June 15th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips “I don’t know” and “I don’t want to say” are close cousins. They also carry much information if we are willing to listen. “I don’t know.” “I can’t say.” “I don’t want to say anything now as I may be divulging too much or incorrect information.” Would you please tell me something? […]

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Tags: Information · Questions · Uncategorized · Visibility · Work

Work and Convenience

April 16th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Sometimes we don’t do some things at work merely because they are inconvenient. “I don’t want to do such-and-such,” said busy, hardworking person at work. “It is inconvenient to me,” thought the same person but didn’t say it aloud. Work can be fun and rewarding or as some have said, “Pleasant, productive, […]

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Tags: Accountability · Work

Sipping from a Fire Hose (or We are too Lazy to do Our Jobs)

April 6th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips The new boss arrives. Everyone tells her what they are doing all at once in great detail. The new boss is “sipping from the fire hose.” I heard this “sipping from the fire hose” phrase a thousand times in my career. The new boss arrives. She is inundated with details during the […]

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Tags: Accountability · Clarity · Work

One of the Ultimate Compliments at Work

January 30th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips One of the ultimate compliments at work is, “We’ll do fine without you.” If you want to be indispensable, do a really bad job. It may seem backwards, but we can do without our best employees. Of course, this all depends on the definition we use for “best” and “good.” Our best […]

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Tags: Process · Respect · Trust · Work

The Price of Tools and the Place of Work

December 16th, 2019 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Once again, the price of tools has fallen dramatically. This has shifted the place of work, and we are struggling to adapt. A few weeks ago, I went to a seminar where I connected a $100 gadget from Nvidia to a four-year-old $1,000 portable computer from Apple, used a bunch of $0 […]

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Tags: Agility · Alternatives · Change · Tools · Trust · Work

Adult Discussions

December 9th, 2019 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Sometimes some persons should not be in the room during discussions. You may stay in the room if you like. It is obvious from your reaction that this is all above your head. Please keep quiet. Learning is permitted, but interruption is discouraged. This is harsh. Sometimes it is necessary. Greater learning […]

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Tags: Adults · Learning · Work