How do your list(s)look now? Are there more to go???
Joe states "...Who says my "lists" are no good, eh? ...Coincidence?"
The San Jose Mercury News had a good article regarding "technology today". It certainly provides the reader a good 'reality check' as to what the general corporate culture view here (in Silicon Valley) is regarding technology and team work. She points out that you are part of a team each day you go to work. Each of us ultimately depends on others to help us succeed.
The most recent sexual harassment charges at Novel goes to show that the 'old' team (Jeff Merkey and his Wolf Mountain baby) was not working well (or at all?) with the 'new team' (Denise Gibson). I got the impression that Merkey believed that the only insight he needed to succeed was that which he developed by himself (and his team); Wolf Mountain. However, CEO Schmidt and perhaps Ms. Gibson saw it much differently. Merkey was not willing to let go and advance the project to the next level.
This IMO is just another form of the necessary house cleaning that needs to be completed. CEO Schmidt with Ms. Gibson's help, is trying to develop the 'New Novell' corporate culture. It appears that some of the old timers do not see eye to eye on this new management style.
This shareholder applaudes CEO Schmidts changes and I expect to see more in the near future.
So Joe tell me.... Does you list show more changes? Have you scratched out more than 60% of the names on this list???
EKS
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Published Sunday, July 13, 1997, in the San Jose Mercury News
What do you think is the most common misconception about technology today? That technology is difficult. It is not.
The first challenge is for people to move past the fear of pursuing the academic fundamentals and to get involved in the excitement of innovation. Many of us go through training in engineering as undergraduates or graduates at the best universities in the country and still do not know what technologists actually work on, what they study and what passions drive them.
In the course of time, the modern day technologist will search for the limits of technology. He or she will come to appreciate the sophistication of today's engineering and will gain an understanding of the social transformations precipitated by the use of technology. As technologists continue to ``push the envelope,'' such commercial activities as product development, litigation and the forming of partnerships will become precedent-setting events that will be followed by a multitude of other industries. Whether in biotechnology, microelectronics or other high-technology fields, the need to generate novel information for products and services and thereby to create new industries, will grow exponentially.
However, technology is not for the faint of heart. You must come prepared, and education is the key. There are no shortcuts, lucky breaks or excuses for lacking the academic basics or the experience of working in the trenches.
Just as important, being part of technology requires an unrelenting belief in what is possible, a disdain for the ridiculous and a desire to win. And winning means changing -- changing one's views and opinions on what technology is and who will do it.
Technology is one of the last frontiers for those with the courage to prepare and the vision to participate. It is that exhilarating reality -- not the perceived difficulty of technology -- that should be trumpeted.
Some members of my group have offered help to a female correspondence-worker who has been with the company less than nine months. But she either declines the help or ignores electronic mail sent to her. We see her heading for unnecessary failure and disappointment, but what else can we do?
Unfortunately, very little without the risk of demoralizing her altogether. This co-worker is showing that she does not want or appreciate the offers of help and does not realize the impact of her refusals.
Because she is relatively new in the position, she may be relying on what she sees as the unique skills that helped her succeed in her last job. She may also be trying to prove -- to others and possibly to herself -- that she can handle the requirements of her current job easily.
But sadly, one of the best teachers is failure. While none of us takes joy in the failure of others, we are all expected to use the resources around us, including the human resources, to accomplish our tasks. The fact that several members of your group have responded demonstrates that she is missing an important part of team dynamics. That is, the unexpected gift of insight provided by those who bring a different view of the world.
It is not uncommon for workers to recognize that they are part of a team only when the formation of a formal team structure is announced. However, the reality is, you are part of a team each day you go to work. Each of us ultimately depends on others to help us succeed. It may be a manager, a peer, an administrative assistant or a computer support technician. None of us can afford to ignore the gems of insight offered by others. Nor can we afford to believe that the only insight we need to succeed is that we bring ourselves. Eventually, your co-worker will probably come to realize this.
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Cheryl Shavers, a senior manager at Intel Corp. in Santa Clara, writes each Sunday on the technology workplace. The views expressed are solely hers and not those of Intel. Send questions to Cheryl Shavers c/o Editorial -- Business at the San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95190. Fax: (408) 920-5917. E-mail:
cshavers@sjmercury.com . Because of the volume of mail, not all questions can be answered personally.
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