Month: May 2017

Group Norms for all my projects: 

1. No customization! We stick to out of the box solution
2. We hold ourselves and one another accountable to get things done
3. Less is more. Simple over complex
4. Words are cheap. Actions speak louder than words
5. We remove dependencies ourselves
6. We make sound business assumptions to work through ambiguities and changing business conditions
7. We avoid unnecessary emails. Emails are used to summarize agreements and key actions. We don’t have ping-pong conversations
8. We prefer face to face or phone conversations
9. We provide feedback that are real, open, constructive and action-oriented
10. We leverage technologies to collaborate and ensure free flow of communication channels
11. All meetings have details agenda with dedicated time slots
12. Minutes are issued within 24 hours. All actions are due by 2pm
13. We make decisions and provide feedback within 2 business days. No feedback means the recipient agrees to recommended next steps or decisions
14. Each lead is responsible for gathering input, driving action, and relevant administrative duties like scheduling sessions and taking minutes
15. We embrace change

Work is picking up. 18 days before going live with a brand new IT solution. It’ll have been four months since we kicked off. We’re on our way to set the world record. Setting records is what we do.

So much fun. So little time. I can barely find the time to use the bathroom. I’m not drinking enough water (cause I forget). I’m having fun, and the team is energized. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead a big and diverse team of 50+ cross-functional people.

Did someone give me a fancy job title? No.
Did they give me a list of stuff to do? No
Did my boss tell me to put in 14 hours today? No. But I put in the hours because I want to. Because I have to.

I know what has to be done, and so engage executives for support before putting the team together. My boss trusts me to do whatever is required to get things done.

No one asked me to create a project room. No one asked me to introduce scrum methodology to get everyone on the same page after seeing lack of accountability. I saw a gap that needed filling. I close gaps no one else sees. Or no one else bothers to fix. I choose to look. I choose to care.

I don’t ask for permission. I’d rather ask for forgiveness. Except there is nothing to forgive. A lot of thought goes into everything before I execute. People are happy with the change after they get used to it.

I don’t have a manual on how to lead a project team. I’ve had multiple opportunities to build a portfolio of cross-functional skills.
I believe anything is possible as long as I like what I’m doing, I apply my mind and ask people for help. We humans are social and helpful by nature (there are always exceptions to this rule).

Dependency is my least favorite word. Dependencies are problems yet to be explored and solved. Each of us have what it takes to remove dependencies ourselves and move forward.

So… what are you waiting for? Figure out why you feel that way. Do a root cause analysis. Weigh the options. Understand the pros and cons.
Make a decision.
Solve the problem.
Get rid of that obtuse dependency!

Now, let’s get on with it.

Trust is built on mutual respect and credibility. To become reliable, we must keep our promises. Even the strongest foundation topples with too much and too often of a shock. Wear and tear causes fatigue stress, and if left untreated, all things break down.

What are you doing to nurture and nourish the trust you’ve built over the years? Neglect and abuse will lead to disintegration and broken relationships.

You need to call in a favor? Wait… you just remembered that time you went back on your word. Failed to deliver on your promise. You hesitate. You hang up your phone.

Be consistent. Keep your promise. Do what you say you were going to do.
It’s really not that hard, but it sure takes practice and commitment to make it work.

Sunday afternoon:

Me: “Hello, I would like to order 16 pizzas and 24 drinks for tomorrow’s team meeting at Noon!”
The Owner:  “Sure, we’ll get it delivered to you tomorrow. I’ll send you the EFT details and please make the deposit by 9am.”

Me: “OK”

The next morning
08:00 The owner sends me the banking details
08:15 I make the funds transfer at 08:15 and send him proof of payment.
09:00 Him: “I am sorry but the money isn’t yet in my account so I can’t deliver the pizza to you.”
10:30 After ranting and raving (denial stage), I order from another place (acceptance) because 25 people are expecting to get free lunch in 90 minutes. The money leaves my account again(~$200)
11:30 Pizza delivery guy is at the gate but security guy won’t let him in.
11:45 After ranting and raving (denial stage), I grab an executive and a golf cart to help me pick up team lunch (back to reality).
12:00 The team meeting starts.

I have just spend eight hours to get 16 pizzas and drinks to this room.
This meal just cost me: $400
Measure of frustration: Infinite
The joy from the team getting a treat for a job well done: Greater than infinite

I have to put on a smile before 25 people walk through the door.

Lessons learned: 
1. Never order from this guy again
2. Don’t forget about customer service and set the right expectations
3. Even pizza can cause stress!
4. Keep the promise
5. Smile

 

from your last seven years with your company?
“I miss the people. That’s it. I don’t have any recollection of good memories involving projects.”

It’s always about the people, isn’t it? People do stuff. Some people don’t.
Below, an email response I just received:

“[the thing that was due last month], I have it on my radar ( I could have completed if not for my excel breakdown last Monday) but currently  in progress as I had to shift all my focus on doing new things.  Please give me some time as I have very limited bandwidth now,”

I wish he just told me the truth: “I haven’t done it because I don’t want to”, or “the dog ate my homework”

I will remember him as the “poker” who always has an excuse for not doing.

 

Long time ago, I was given a map with four marked spots, compass, and two bottles of water before a school bus dropped me off in an unknown location. Only four hours to figure out where I am before planning my route to get to all four locations, get moving and return to the base.

I am not alone. I am surrounded by others going through the same exercise. Except we’re dropped off in different locations with varying coordinates. We are not allowed to talk to one another.

It takes me half hour to plot out the lines on the map and write down four coordinates. I put one inside my shirt, and the other is in my left hand.

I walk forward. I panic. I can’t find the piece of paper anywhere. I look inside my shirt pocket to find another copy. I let out an audible sigh. I’m delayed. I have just lost 30 minutes.

??@#$@#$!!
Keep calm. I’ll be okay. Remember! Trust your azimuth. Trust your pace count. Take a deep breath. 

The compass sits just above the bellybutton and is held level to the ground. I turn my body to align to the azimuth of my first destination. I lift my head and look far into the distance. I put the compass away. I shoot for a straight line, as the crow flies, towards the tree with what I hope have distinct branches. I count my steps. Every 52 steps is one yard. I have ten beads hanging on my left shoulder strap. Every 52 steps, I mark one down. Until I hit the distance towards my azimuth.

Thank goodness, there is a marker with red and yellow tape. I write it down.

I get to my third marker. I see panicked people everywhere. Some people are following others. The thought had entered my mind. I wish I could just follow, hoping perhaps that we are headed towards the right direction? Except we all started somewhere else. No two of us are alike in our quest.

I shoot my last azimuth. There is a swamp separating me and my next tree. 20 minutes remain.

??@#$@#$!!
I can’t swim. . I may got lost and lose my ‘tree.’ I have no choice but to go forward.
I wade through the muck that reaches just below my shoulders. I exit and find myself in front of two markers.

!!@#@?#&
I choose the one closest to the tree.

I run as fast as I can.
Ten minutes before I disqualify.
I am the last person among the 200 to finish.

I hand in my codes aligned to coordinates to the man sitting at an old desk.
He glances at me, looks over the sheet, and hands me a piece of paper: 4/4.
100%

A decision taken is a good one if afterwards, I feel great. If think I should have done it sooner. There are no, “I shouldn’t have done that”.

I just bought my first electronically trade fund (ETF). After doing a bit of research, I decided on one fund based on:

• Its low expense fee;
• Positive correlation to a major US Index (close to 100%); and
• Management structure of the company issuing the ETF

Before I hit the OK button, my friend asked, ‘what will you do if the stock market crashes or you need money in few years’ time?’

My investment strategy is simple. Load cash into efficient investment vehicle. Once invested, it’s gone from my mind for decades. Inaction takes over.

The beauty of compounding interests leading to money making more money babies.

At the end of January this year, I wrote to few US senators in response to the executive order banning people of color from entering the USA. The current US president would like to wield his influence to fill 120 judiciary spots. How do we maintain the checks and balances across the three branches of the US government as per founding fathers’ original design: legislative, executive and judiciary?

What can we do?

I’d like to ask you for your help to uphold the American Dream.

I ask you to address the latest Executive Order denying entry to those with legal right to enter the United States with dignity and respect they deserve.

I am a first generation immigrant. I’ve learned to think and speak in English, better than my mother tongue.

I am a naturalized United States citizen. I have served in the US military.

I’ve earned Army Commendation medal and Achievement medals. I’ve been part of the support command to ensure safe and timely deployment of thousands of soldiers.

I earned my coast guard license. I have added value to American employers. I have been called to and attended jury duty. I pay my taxes.

What if I hadn’t become an American citizen, but remained permanent resident, and from Iran? What if I had visited Iran to tour, conduct research, or meet business partners? Would I find myself in limbo, stuck at an airport? The country that I’ve been calling my home from childhood long lost to me, to find myself having to go to a place that thinks and operates different from my mind, though they look the same from the outside?

Permanent residents should be treated with the same care and respect we extend to our citizens, no matter their travel destinations and point of origin? Law abiding residents committed to live in the USA without causing harm, only adding value?

How about extending respect to our consulate and embassy staff? Have they not applied the latest immigration law by vetting and screening everyone allowed entry? Are we disrespecting their work and commitment? Do we break our promises?  What message are we sending to our citizens, allies, and our enemies?

The American people deserve better. Please look out for the safety of our people in North America and those living abroad. How about US soldier, tourists and travelers scattered around the world?

I’d appreciate your reply on this matter soonest.

Too much admin for a Sunday.

• Pack up boxes before movers come on Friday – 95% done
• Take inventory – Not done
• Power of attorney. Last will and final testament. Reassessing retirement performance against goals – #%$^@#!  This takes so much time to understand. Not done!
• Open an investment fund account – Done
• Pay credit card bill – Done
• Updating the Living in South Africa page – Done
• Dale Carnegie’s “How to make friends and influence people” – Done! Finished the book
• Understand the difference between mutual funds & electronically traded funds (ETF) – Done

Two articles I’d like to recommend after 6 hours on the web:

• Why ETFs are superior to Mutual Funds
• “Why procrastination will steal your future wealth”

“If today is your 20th birthday and you begin a system of saving $263.67 every month—that’s $3,164.04 per year—for 45 years, never pay any taxes or investment fees on it and earn 7% a year, you will have $1 million in the bank when you hit age 65.”

7% annual return is the average return of US indices like Standard and Poor’s (S&P)… which means we need to create appropriate investment vehicles to park our cash. If you were me from yesterday (without today’s all-day research), this probably makes no sense to you.

I feel your pain. I really do.
In the next few days, I’ll translate ‘super scary and gibberish financial talk’ to regular people speak. Starting tomorrow, I’ll start investigating appropriate ETFs with lowest management fee , zero transaction costs, and efficient tax vehicle.

My goal is to park excess cash into an ETF by 10 May.

 

Feeling awkward around people. Feeling rigid and unsure of myself. Feeling disconnected from the world. Spending too much time inside my head and most likely not getting out. The writer’s depth of thinking increases with every letter I type. It feels as if the serious writer has taken over this body. I’m still stuck on me from a year ago when everything was too much and too fast.

Have you found yourself stuck in the past? How do you bring yourself to the present?