Working Up

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

Working Up header image 4

Three Magic Words that Erase a Negative

May 7th, 2012 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips When you say or hear a negative statement, add “up until now” to erase the negative. These magic words come from author and consultant Jerry Weinberg. They are great erasers. Here are some examples: I am not a good writer…up until now I stutter when I speak in front of people…up until […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Communication · Meetings

Contemplative Writing

March 1st, 2012 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Contemplative writing is a valuable practice. It is far more valuable and far less used than shallow meetings. In my 28 years working for the government, I attended countless meetings where much of nothing was discussed. I avoided far more if these meetings than I attended. Meetings are a characteristic of government […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Management · Meetings · Process · Thinking · Time · Writing

They’re Not Upset, They’re Just Thinking

November 21st, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Take care when you have opposite types of people in the room for a meeting. Be sure to have someone in the room with the primary interest of ensuring communication among the groups. A few months ago, I sat in a meeting. On one side of the table were customers; on the […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Communication · Meetings · People

The Free-Form Data Entry Template

September 15th, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips How to cross the barrier of the blank sheet of paper. I love a blank sheet of paper. I know a lot of people who don’t. I was in a meeting once where people were given blank sheets of paper and literally revolted. They wanted some type of template to focus their […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Adapting · Meetings · People · Process

Change the World 0.01 – Three People in a Room

April 25th, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips This post begins a new series (of undetermined length) about changing the world. Sometimes, all it takes is three people in a crowded room who say, “let’s tell the truth.” The scene is a familiar one, especially if you work in government as people in government sit in more meetings than anyone […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Change · Communication · Meetings

Be Prepared to be Unprepared

March 28th, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips I have learned that I am not capable of being prepared for everything. Hence, I have learned to be prepared for being unprepared. I often speak in front of people, lead discussions, teach classes, and generally attend meetings where people ask me questions. I am often unprepared for what people ask. I […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Choose · Culture · Expectations · Learning · Meetings

The iPad – part 0.9 – A Week-Long Conference

March 21st, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips I attend a five-day conference with only an iPad and ZaggMate bluetooth keyboard. It worked! I recently attended a conference at work – eight hours a day for five days. WiFi was to be available. Hmm, eight hours, WiFi, I wasn’t sure about power connections, I decided to try my iPad with […]

[Read more →]

Tags: iPad · Meetings · Technology

The Season is the Reason for the Meeting (not)

February 17th, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Some meetings are driven only by the calendar. We meet monthly or weekly or whatever just because a page falls from the calendar on the wall. I’m going to a meeting tomorrow (or maybe its the day after?). The reason for the meeting? the calendar Yes, it is a meeting determined by […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Management · Meetings

Get It Done (or not): Government vs Industry

January 13th, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips In my industry job, I see people making phone calls to obtain answers to questions right now. I never say that in 28 years of government. Here are some thoughts on the practice. I worked in government for 28 years. I have since worked in private industry for two years. A current […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Communication · Culture · Government · Management · Meetings

Thinking vs Talking Postures

January 10th, 2011 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips People use one set of postures for thinking. There are another set of postures that make it easy for other people to hear what you are saying when you are talking. Please try to switch postures when thinking and then talking. This request is especially strong when in meeting with other people. […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Communication · Meetings · People · Work