It proves that one’s readership can reach into many unexpected corners of the Internet.
Given my blogging has been silent for a few weeks (massive corporate strategy project followed by long vacation in mental recovery mode), maybe I’m not so worthy of a vote. But if you’re willing to vote for me, by all means do.
For example, let’s say Hope has a success rate of 5%. Prayer might also have the same odds of 5%. Now multiple these two powerful forces together. Hope times Prayer = 25%?
Actually, no. It’s .25%
You might sense the sarcasm here. Though I literally have seen organizations multiply low-probability tactics and believe that overall success is more likely. As they say, hope & prayer are not a strategy.
We recently hired a bright, talented young woman into my organization as a product manager. She had interviewed with members of both my staff and that of colleagues by the time she met with me.
The people in my staff and peer departments are almost entirely comprised of males. I asked her whether she sensed any chauvinism during the round of interviews. To which her response was, “no”.
Later, I felt regret for asking the question. Whereas I was asking in part to establish empathy (as in, “I’m not a chauvinist and won’t abide it in my team”), I realized the dilemma I could have exposed her to.
In effect, she could only say “no” because if she said “yes, I sensed chauvinism” then she could think I had a reason not to hire her on the basis of fit or avoidance of future conflict.
On further reflection, I realized I asked the question because my own ability to assess the situation is limited. Limited by a cultural gap between me and the primarily Czech workforce she would be working with. In other words, I don’t know what chauvinism is, or is not, in the Czech culture.
In the year I have been here, there have been times where I felt that I was able to sense cultural differences. This situation reminded me that there are many things I don’t (yet) understand. And that my cultural norms can’t simply be projected onto another culture. Disconcerting….
[UPDATE: It’s Father’s Day, 2015. It’s been 5 years since I wrote this. I added some more thoughts at the end.]
Father’s Day is upon us. My dad passed away recently and of course my thoughts turn to him today.
He had a certain style and flair, even in his last act. He passed away on April 19 at 89 years old. On the first day of my new job in Prague. In the midst of the volcanic eruptions. Imagine the challenge of getting to Canada in time for his funeral when only 750,000 of my closest friends were stranded too. Thankfully, I made it.
He was a man of profound gifts and talents. Certainly one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. That’s saying something given my 24 years in high tech surrounded by smart, highly educated people. He’d recite formulas and theorems for his grandchildren, a couple of whom were educated as engineers. They were surely stunned that he remembered the stuff they were trying so hard to learn in college.
He had a clear, tuneful voice and probably could have been an accomplished performer had he put his mind to it.
He was an athlete, though I’m not sure he ever fancied himself as one. Just a few years ago, he laced up his old hockey skates, which were the consistency of golf glove leather. Soft. No support. He stepped on the ice and proceeded to glide the length of the rink with a couple of strides. Amazing.
He learned golf at the age of 40 and became better than 95% of those who play the game. Most people who play that well start very young when it’s much easier to learn.
His career took him around the world many times over, and he knew a lot about a lot of cultures and places.
For all of these gifts, he was human too. I sometimes think that the smartest have a hard time enduring the rest of us. He didn’t suffer fools. I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of an argument with him at work, just as I didn’t at home.
Age made my father wiser and mellower. And it’s the latter part of his life I most want to emulate.
May we all be so gifted, and learn the humility to match.
Happy Father’s Day.
UPDATE: It’s Father’s Day, 2015. I’ve been working away at my start-up for almost 3 years now. Being a CEO and leader has illustrated for me – and those around me – all of the ways in which I’m both flawed and talented. My dad was about my present age when I was a teen, when I experienced his mid-aged intensity in all its glory. More than ever, I know I am my Father’s son.
Don MacLennan | High Tech Yankee 