The IT Leadership Deal

Since this blog kicked off back on 21 May 2007, ComputerWeekly.com has been pleased to bring you six months of great tips and insights into business productivity from David Taylor, our "Naked Leader". But, sadly, all good things come to an end. David Taylor's schedule no longer allows him the time to blog for us, so this is the final post.

You can follow David's new initiatives online, and in the mainstream media at http://www.nakedleader.com/, and we'll be keeping the archive of existing posts online here too.

I'm sure you'll all join us us here at ComputerWeekly.com in thanking David for his contributions, and in wishing him well in his new ventures!

Hi - This blog has been going for over six months now - my aim was, and is, to create an interactive leadership blog for people in IT - what would you like and want from this blog? Please comment or e-mail me davidultra@nakedleader.com - Many thanks. David

Continue reading "Thoughts / Advice / Guidance Please" »

I was sitting at the CW Awards evening last week, and I had a sudden realisation - yes, we have made major steps forward in technology, yes we are a young "industry," however we still do not get the recognition, profile and positive perception we desire. And that is down to us, to you, to me, to everyone. Whether you agree with this is pretty much irrelevant, what counts s what your customers, peers, or (sic) USERS (think drugs) think. So, go ask them today - not by e-mail, not by phone, in person...and let me know what they say.

Agree? Great - do something about it
Disagree? Great - have a rant and do something about it, anyway

Continue reading "The future- not what it was" »

Question: Are leaders born or made?

My Answer : Made. (Although, all leaders are also born)

No, you decide - no-one has ever conclusively agreed on this - so, you decide, and make sure you choose whatever serves you best - so, if you believe leaders are born, i.e. not made, then make sure you also decide you were one of those luckier babies.

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Continue reading "Are leaders born or made...And..." »

Question: Do you believe in luck?

My Answer : No - I believe in opportunity - moments in life come along when we spot such an opportunity - and it is then our choice whether we take it, or not. Belief plus choice = luck. “The harder I work the luckier I get.” is a famous quote from Samuel Goldwyn, also attributed to golfer Gary Player.

Do you believe in luck?

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Continue reading "Do you believe in..." »

Question: Sorry David - talk me through dealing with a neg?

My Answer : (Stolen from here)

Approach them at their desk, ensure there are other people (witnesses) present. Remember that negs thrive by telling others that you never pay them any attention, or ask their opinion on anything. You are about to disprove this. Make idle chat, not just with neg, but with the group of people around him/her. Raise a subject about which you know neg has an interest, or skill, or is involved in their job. Then, warmly ask for their thoughts on a particular aspect of this. It is brilliant, because they cannot announce they have no thoughts! I have done this many times, and many negs have turned around - and complained about me to my face, which is exactly what I was seeking!

When negs reach positions of power they often become bullies - business bullying is becoming a big issue in organisations. If you are ever bullied - my definition is if anyone says or does something that worries or frightens you, verbally or otherwise, do something about it.

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Continue reading "Negs and Psychic Vampires (2)" »

Question: How do I deal with negs?

My Answer : Negs fall into three categories - those that simply want attention (give it to them), next, the majority - those that love to moan behind your back because it gives them some perverse pleasure, (see next) - and those that will always do so not matter what you do or say (get rid of them from your organisation).

The majority are the biggest middle group - ask their opinion, on something that you know they know something about, in front of witnesses (in the main office) and if they say they do not have an opinion, say no problem, you will come back "tomorrow" again. Always works...

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Continue reading "Negs and Psychic Vampires" »

Question: What are the three top things we should get rid of in our IT dept.?

My Answer : Difficult - as I don't know what you have or do not have - the three most frequent monsters that IT depts have, and "should" replace, are : Service Level Agreements (Replace with Service Charters), Job Descriptions (with People Descriptions), and Comptency based anything (Focus instead on people's strengths and on using them)

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Continue reading "Top Three things to throw out..." »

Question: What is the best way to find out what people think of IT?

My Answer : Have a personal stint on the Help-Desk, especially if you are a leader of people - set a good example for them to do the same

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Continue reading "Perception and Christmas (3)" »

Question: Should I give cards to everyone in my team or only those people I like?

My Answer : Teams below ten people - everyone, over ten give to your closest one or two, or don't give any and give a donation to charity

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Continue reading "Christmas (2)" »