The outside of the inside... a different perspective is often needed.

Adapting....

How much is it ok to ask for? How much can you take? How much should you settle? Ooh, how I despise that last one. Compromise is so, well, "icky". But, if we look at it a different way, settling isn't always compromise. Sometimes, it is just payment for something else. Every day I have to tell myself, you can deal with this, because... the payout is worth it.

I get paid to help other people make things "right". And my nature is always searching for the right, just and better way to look at, perform, any given action. The downside of this personality is that I'm always looking for a better way to do everything. I mean, I look for a better way to brush my teeth and do laundry every day. This creates a constant disruption, and I have to quell my mind at times, and remind myself that oft-times it is better to "stay the course" and get some results. It is a constant balance of cost vs. benefit.

So, we work through the tough stuff, always making suggestions of how to make the little things better, but, at the same time, keeping our eye on the ball of the big goal. Learn to make balanced decisions which support the long-term plan, but allow the actions in the middle to find solid ground with those performing them. The best way to do so is to manage by accountability and goals, rather than by tasks.

Of course, all of this is very difficult when you are faced with managing not only the goals, but also the resources performing the tasks. Managing the intricacies of personnel increases the complexity of any project immensely. It is specifically for this reason that it is sometimes a very good idea to bring an outside resource to manage the goals and keep the team focused on the objectives, rather than their individual jobs. (shameless plug for consultants)... The outside resource can focus on clarifying objectives, goals, and assist in managing work breakdown structures while not being responsible for the overall "well-being" of the employee. It may seem harsh, but the separation of responsibilities creates a situation where the consultant is viewed more abstractly, as if he doesn't have a "dog in the fight". The consultant can spend more time managing the objectives while the manager can spend more time managing the employees.

All of this because I'm dreading having to use a windows machine at work...but will somehow choke it down and not make any waves. Still, what a dismal tool Outlook is. (shortened rant... so I don't get myself too worked up...)