Second Negative

Human Factors

I tend to follow a recurring pattern when learning new processes or skills. Though there is some inevitable crossover in these things, I tend to first learn ‘how’ and then eventually I become obsessed with ‘why’.

I think of this as the theory phase and it never ends. I’m very interested in theory. I’ve read plenty of books on code theory and design theory, and I’ve written pseudo code out the yin yang just to think about what it all means. I think sometimes there isn’t any more reason for this than there is to constantly wonder why we’ve been put on this Earth. Surely we could just try to lead a fulfilling life without wondering about answers that may never come. But we can do both and so we do.

I’m often as interested in discussing theory as I am in the actual work, but the split is usually 90/10 in favor of the work. But don’t confuse discussing theory with sitting around and talking about what ‘the plan’ is. I’m not interested in that. I’ve been credited before with having good project vision, but that doesn’t mean I like to talk about it excessively. I prefer to start working.

I love a good label as much as the next guy, which is why I feel I should tell you that since I’ve started reading Managing Humans, I’ve realized that I fall more into the Completionist camp. And that seems to be both good and bad (like everything else). I know plenty of Incrementalists. I admire the abilities they have that I do not. I drive myself crazy shaping what I do to fit the way I do things. Trust me when I tell you that I have a very specific way of doing things, and in the most non horn tooting of ways I can share that I have pretty high standards. Consistency in process is my religion even while innovation (within a certain set of limitations) is my goal.

Someone asked me the other day regarding my work, “where do you get your styles?” And because I was so taken aback by the question I may have reacted with unintended hostility. My response was certainly the loudest part of our conversation. But I can’t blame that person for asking me the question, because I know it was asked innocently. I think it’s probably the norm to expect that styles were “borrowed” rather than to start with the assumption that they were created from scratch. Which mine are. And that isn’t to suggest that there aren’t inherent similarities among corporate design, especially when dealing with the fairly limited requirements of most web applications.

I’ve always found that it’s easiest to navigate the business environment by recognizing the skills others have that you do not have, while trying to achieve some sort of collaboration that brings out the best in everyone. I know lots of smart people that I’m really impressed with, but I never forget that most of have come to our positions and developed our skills along very different paths. And these differences explain the type of questions we ask, what we believe, and where we draw boundaries regarding our work.