Documentation - Not What You Think It Is

Writing documentation is about problem solving. Not the act of technically describing something. Who am I writing for? What job do they need done? What problems prevent them from getting that job done easily? Why do I need to document how the job to be done, is “done”? Why is it so co...…

Shiny New Tools

Buying shiny new tools from Home Depot because they are on sale, or worst, you’re just wowed with them and dreaming about how you are going to use them one day, is a waste. Embarrassing to admit but I have a few unopened boxes that fall into this category. Know what you want to make, ...…

Problems

Solving the problem without solving the cause of the problem doesn't solve the problem, Solving the cause of the problem without solving the structure that allowed the cause of the problem to exist, won't prevent the next problem, Fixing the structure without knowing who owns it means n...…

A Measure Of Leadership Ability

A measure of our ability to lead and grow is how we answer the question “Can you do this?” Whatever “this” may be. There are many variations of responses but I think it comes down to four possible outcomes; "Sure" When in reality there isn't a hope in hell of it happening. - or - “I d...…

Fear - A Dated Construct

Fear used to keep us alive. It reminded us to hold on when climbing trees, run away from snakes, and not to wrestle with lions. It made sense and in these circumstances it still does…

Tending To Good Habits

Building good habits, whether for yourself or an organization, isn’t like the physical world of making something. In the physical world you pour the foundation and assuming you have done it right, you can now focus on the walls that stand upon it. The foundation if solid is immutable…

Profit Sharing and Financial Transparency Experiment

I think it is important that everyone within the company understands the financial situation of the company, and that they have some form of a financial stake in it, other than just a regular pay cheque. The purpose being that everyone has both the knowledge, and the incentive, to indi...…

Building The Farm Team - Decision Making

To build leadership and decision making skills and to encourage the growth and participation of everyone we want to push every decision down. Not up. Further, we don’t want any decisions being made that are arbitrary and done in private, regardless of where you are at in the organizat...…