tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post8502769227060146464..comments2024-03-25T22:12:49.064-07:00Comments on Gerald Weinberg's Secrets of Writing and Consulting: A Code of Work Rules for ConsultantsGerald M. Weinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05902673055244863609noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-43494362044404594532010-11-02T15:08:53.759-07:002010-11-02T15:08:53.759-07:00Good post!
I find that people in general will be ...Good post!<br /><br />I find that people in general will be happiest in their role when it aligns with three things:<br /><br />1. Their values<br />2. Their abilities<br />3. Their interests<br /><br />Values:<br />This can mean anything from ethical and moral values to how much they value their time or effort (how much they are getting paid). If your current consulting role is not in line with your personal values then you will be miserable doing it (even if you find it interesting and you have the ability to succeed at it)<br /><br />Ability<br />If you are in over your head (meaning that no amount of training can bring you to the level you need by the time you need it), it won't be long before your client notices, and complains, OR before you extract yourself from the position out of a moral obligation to not offer terrible customer service. <br /><br />Interest<br />You could be the best _________ in the world, and be doing it for a company who shares your values, but the work is SO boring, that your mind is constantly wandering elsewhere from the monotony of the project. If your work cannot hold your interest your itch will be to leave.<br /><br />When you find something that is in line with all three, you'll tend to excel at it.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Ken Mizell<br />Vice President of Software Test and Quality Assurance – Mantis Technology Group Inc.<br />ken.mizell@mantis-tgi.com <br />c. 206.852.0249<br />w. 425.250.0421<br />f. 425.250.0401<br /><br />“Whether you think you can or you think you cannot, you are right.” Henry FordKen MIzellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00512840247951503246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-41540512279405417642010-10-30T12:00:30.610-07:002010-10-30T12:00:30.610-07:00I imagine that some part of my consulting work for...I imagine that some part of my consulting work for all organizations is to make those organizations that are currently non consultant friendly to consultant friendly. <br /><br />I may add a principle to myself saying: If the organization seem to not comply with any principles mentioned above, I should try making an offer to helping them out be consultant friendly.<br /><br />The beauty of commenting on this post is, I know you'd help me think better than this.Pradeep Soundararajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849721523107325938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-53642050690891169032010-10-30T11:45:08.829-07:002010-10-30T11:45:08.829-07:00I always love reading your General Systems Laws, y...I always love reading your General Systems Laws, your rules-of-thumb, your guiding principals, your check lists. There's usually something new, something clarified, and lots of validation. I know why I'm such a happy guy... I've been careful about who I work for. (And I'm blessed because I've had some options.)Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17070578562535678950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-32872598649484374112010-10-30T07:28:16.673-07:002010-10-30T07:28:16.673-07:00Wow, it was a shock to read your lead-in to the li...Wow, it was a shock to read your lead-in to the list. I kept finding myself saying "really?" and "ugh!" <br /><br />It's almost a shame that you have to post this list -- in that it reflects a state of affairs that you and others have observed. I naively assume everyone innately follows your tips -- as I think I have done my entire 35 years of working (starting as a dishwasher, even).<br /><br />Knowing better, however, that your picture of reality is just that, I always advise that folks (employees and consultants, alike) need to be financially independent. If you live paycheck-to-paycheck, it is harder to buck the system than if you have a 6-month or greater cushion of savings.<br /><br />I humbly submit, you might want to add: <br /><br />"8. Be financially sound so as to not have to compromise your principles for the sake of a paycheck."jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12613257174589409034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-28627209015890569002010-10-30T05:47:02.151-07:002010-10-30T05:47:02.151-07:00You cannot be just a "consultant" - it&#...You cannot be just a "consultant" - it's a non-job. You can be a consultant programmer or a consultant manager or consultant orthopaedic surgeon.<br /><br />Once you've identified your true profession then find the guiding ethics of that profession.Matt Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02053131888225417512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-12705899789733673152010-10-30T05:19:14.514-07:002010-10-30T05:19:14.514-07:00Nice advices. Quite difficult to follow for young ...Nice advices. Quite difficult to follow for young consultants or consultants that don't have a lot of projects to choose from.Eusebiu Blinduhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11360614259223474001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25922407.post-58703642217634839142010-10-30T05:15:59.329-07:002010-10-30T05:15:59.329-07:00Re. 2: I often need to work for some time with the...Re. 2: I often need to work for some time with the client before I really understand their goals. Sometimes that's because I'm slow; sometimes because the client is dealing with deep issues that aren't immediately obvious to new people; sometimes because we just need to establish a common language. So I'd kinda like to qualify this principle by accepting that I'll work on projects I don't understand, so long as there's commitment on both sides to build understanding.<br /><br />(Sometimes the value I bring is accepting that I don't understand, and using this to ask questions that help everyone understand the goals.)Graham Oakeshttp://www.grahamoakes.co.uknoreply@blogger.com