www.itminddesign.com

I want to visit upon a different view on one of my tips from a post back in January with ideas of what to do after being hired in IT.  In a effort to try to continually evaluate and present multiple facets to my thoughts, I wanted to describe an alternate view on tip #1. A colleague of mine, who can be at times a controversial figure within the organization, came back at me when I began discussing issues around a new member of the pack.

My coworker felt that a person with good intentions who made aggressive mistakes was a positive trait.  That the resulting “conflicts” would shape and mold both the environment and the new individual.  I didn’t agree at first, but after reflection on his words, I did find that he may have a valid perspective.  My only counterpoint to his was that, true genuine desire to make things better and aggressive mistakes have some value.  However, if you alienate everyone around you and they don’t want to even be around you, say nothing of cooperating with you, then what value does the aggressiveness ultimately provide?

A second incident of a new person violating tip #1 occurred just the other day.  It again, brought back my thoughts around the aggressive mistake point made above.  This new person, his first day I believe, started to hijack a meeting.  He did provide what sounded to me as valuable knowledge of a product that we are not familiar with.  So, on that level I was generally okay with his talking so much.  However, the wheels came off when he started to suggest things that aren’t standard for us and that’s when I knew he talked too much.  Your first day, don’t say how things should be without understanding the company and the environment first.  I’m sure he will provide value as he seems intelligent, but he must show some respect and maturity in seeking to understand before he seeks to be understood.

I did get the feeling with the newest, new guy that he is or was a consultant. This constant desire to demonstrate immediate value is the life blood of that role and may explain his behavior to me.