Comments on: The Paradox of Right http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/ Practical methods for successful software management. Thu, 06 May 2010 02:07:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: ActiveEngine Sensei http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/comment-page-1/#comment-131 ActiveEngine Sensei Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:55:47 +0000 http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/#comment-131 Happy New Year Bill. Not to get all objectivist on you and quote John Galt, but people confuse metrics for the active thinking that should have done. That is, if you were to say "I have metrics / analysis that bears out my decision ..." many people assume that what you say must have authority, because metrics are always vetted, especially when presented by the Internet / Wisdom of Crowds people. I truly believe that many are so conditioned that they do not realize that they have substituted parroting stats for thought. The glimmer of fear the might have had is swept away when they embrace the rationalization framework that serves as their world view. A leader shakes the tree every once in a while, and with good reason. Happy New Year Bill. Not to get all objectivist on you and quote John Galt, but people confuse metrics for the active thinking that should have done. That is, if you were to say “I have metrics / analysis that bears out my decision …” many people assume that what you say must have authority, because metrics are always vetted, especially when presented by the Internet / Wisdom of Crowds people.

I truly believe that many are so conditioned that they do not realize that they have substituted parroting stats for thought. The glimmer of fear the might have had is swept away when they embrace the rationalization framework that serves as their world view.

A leader shakes the tree every once in a while, and with good reason.

]]> By: Bill Miller http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Bill Miller Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:57:35 +0000 http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/#comment-130 Dave, Happy New Year, and thanks for commenting. I believe there are some elements of what you say that can explain what is happening, but I think fear can also explain some of it as well. Leaders don't act appropriately because of the fear of the consequences of standing alone and the same for indviduals. The response to metrics of which you site can also be explained by fear. When the data reveals a threatening truth, like the release will be late, people will rationlize the data away as a defensive mechanism to postpone dealing with the reality: It's not as bad as it seems; it was just a bad build. They're only minor issues; we'll close them quickly. These are all defensive mechanisms. What the metrics are telling isn't real until it happens. Yes they seemingly come to believe it. It's only solved by putting the right individuals in the right leadership roles. It's a behaviorial issue that is not solved by process or education. Dave, Happy New Year, and thanks for commenting. I believe there are some elements of what you say that can explain what is happening, but I think fear can also explain some of it as well. Leaders don’t act appropriately because of the fear of the consequences of standing alone and the same for indviduals.

The response to metrics of which you site can also be explained by fear. When the data reveals a threatening truth, like the release will be late, people will rationlize the data away as a defensive mechanism to postpone dealing with the reality: It’s not as bad as it seems; it was just a bad build. They’re only minor issues; we’ll close them quickly. These are all defensive mechanisms. What the metrics are telling isn’t real until it happens. Yes they seemingly come to believe it.

It’s only solved by putting the right individuals in the right leadership roles. It’s a behaviorial issue that is not solved by process or education.

]]> By: ActiveEngine Sensei http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/comment-page-1/#comment-129 ActiveEngine Sensei Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:24:25 +0000 http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/#comment-129 Interesting post Bill. For my part, I think we have fallen into the cult of "Wisdom of Crowds", and that our egos are too easily satisfied when we believe we have advanced beyond the lessons of the past because our processes have been vetted by consensus. Corporate culture allows you to fool yourself with "data" gathered and validated the group. That is, emotions get tied to the process of creating metrics but seek to avoid the conflict of analysis of the applicability of those metrics. Leadership means acting despite those pressures of the "hive-mind" that lull us to sleep with euphemisms of "metrics". This essay by Jaron Lanier about the new online collectivism can offer a view as to how it is easier for people to shirk thinking, and avoid acting as leaders in situation of duress. http://edge.org/3rd_culture/lanier06/lanier06_index.html Interesting post Bill. For my part, I think we have fallen into the cult of “Wisdom of Crowds”, and that our egos are too easily satisfied when we believe we have advanced beyond the lessons of the past because our processes have been vetted by consensus. Corporate culture allows you to fool yourself with “data” gathered and validated the group. That is, emotions get tied to the process of creating metrics but seek to avoid the conflict of analysis of the applicability of those metrics. Leadership means acting despite those pressures of the “hive-mind” that lull us to sleep with euphemisms of “metrics”.

This essay by Jaron Lanier about the new online collectivism can offer a view as to how it is easier for people to shirk thinking, and avoid acting as leaders in situation of duress.

http://edge.org/3rd_culture/lanier06/lanier06_index.html

]]> By: Bill Miller http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Bill Miller Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:10:47 +0000 http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/#comment-128 Employees acting ethically and morally is a formidable challenge at times in business. Here's another example of poor leadership <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/business/15drug.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1200398424-9GYfhhs4hOWhgJmuNdh2pw" rel="nofollow">"Study Reveals Doubt for Cholesterol Drug"</a>. The sad reality is that it's risky for the moral and ethical employee to challenge leadership when the consensus is decided on a wrong path. In the process poor leadership tarnishes the reputation and financial condition of the company. Does anyone see it differently? I'd like to hear your thoughts or other examples. Employees acting ethically and morally is a formidable challenge at times in business. Here’s another example of poor leadership “Study Reveals Doubt for Cholesterol Drug”. The sad reality is that it’s risky for the moral and ethical employee to challenge leadership when the consensus is decided on a wrong path. In the process poor leadership tarnishes the reputation and financial condition of the company. Does anyone see it differently? I’d like to hear your thoughts or other examples.

]]> By: Joe http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Joe Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:47:28 +0000 http://www.yuwantitwhen.com/blog/2008/01/07/the-paradox-of-right/#comment-127 Good point about mentioning bug closure rates. I think many organizations may only look at number of bugs open as a project nears its completion date, and not pay attention to the rate of which bugs are being raised as well as closed. Good point about mentioning bug closure rates. I think many organizations may only look at number of bugs open as a project nears its completion date, and not pay attention to the rate of which bugs are being raised as well as closed.

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