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  • How To Forge Teams By Deliberate Discomfort

    Posted on by Tim

    Using deliberate discomfort to make teams is what makes the U.S. military. Since I served in the U.S. Navy, I can only speak for my service branch.

    The more elite or special a unit is, the more difficult the process becomes for a trainee to join the unit. Most people think physical exertion is a hurdle to get over.

    In my opinion, the mental challenges are far tougher than the physical barriers.

    To join the submarine force, I need to have a psychological evaluation for mental fitness. Again, I was evaluated for mental soundness to support special operations units in combat.

    Yes, there were physical components involved in the qualification and selection process for both areas. For me, those were not the same as a special operator who would go through Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS).

    The “shared suffering” involved in my inductions into these communities left me wanting more. Not in a sick, twisted way, but wanting for closeness that comes with the processes.

    My deliberate discomfort

    After initial training at the Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS), I was assigned to the USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678). Fun fact, I was filmed as part of the documentary, Submarines – Sharks of Steel.

    Screen grab Submarines Sharks of Steel
    Submarines – Sharks of Steel video

    My toughest test was on the ARCHERFISH. It involved two years of qualification and training.

    Qualifying is a “make or break” choice. You either thrive or dive. You can’t tread water.

    I chose to thrive. I completed the process in a year; by putting the time in, studying for hours in my off-duty time.

    I finished the work at sea. Oh, the stories I could tell! As the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

    Submarines are a crucible that test adaptability and I passed. I learned to perform under pressure.

    Deliberate discomfort as a non-useful body (nub) turned to shared suffering as a qualified submarine Sailor. Diving and driving submarines are not for the faint-hearted!

    Bringing discomfort to business

    I’m working on how to simulate the identity forging process for business.

    This post frames my experience. More will follow!


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Mic check one two, is this thing on?

    Posted on by Tim

    Hello? Can anyone hear me? Is this thing on?

    I was sharing a story with our youngest daughter. She and her older sister are on a speech and debate team at the high school (secondary school) level. She was struggling with a fellow team member to the degree of high frustration.

    It reminded me of how leadership is about influencing others to act or think a certain way.

    I auditioned for in high school (secondary school) and was accepted into both the choir and chamber group. I was one of four or five second-year students to gain entry to the chamber group.

    First, the normal invitation to join the chamber group was as a third-year or fourth-year student.

    Second, the natural progression was from a junior choir to the main choir to the chamber group.

    Finally, based on demonstrated progression, the student received the audition invitation.

    For me, that wasn’t the case. My situation was highly unusual. I played piano and cello in elementary and middle schools (primary school). Occasionally, I sang in the church choir.

    More bluntly, I was accepted into a group based on an audition with zero social credibility and influence.

    Our daughter was feeling a similar lack of credibility and influence. She wanted to throw in the towel, so to speak.

    I threw in the towel, I quit the chamber group and choir in the middle of my third year.

    I regret my choice today as I took the easy way out of social pressure. In sharing that with our daughter it reminded me of how leaders feel at times.

    My senior yearbook photo

    Is this thing on?

    The Navy’s promotion system worked well to provide enlisted leaders with credibility and influence at the senior level. As a chief petty officer, many would be transferred in the weeks and month following their “pinning”.

    Pinning is the event when a Navy member receives the collar devices denoting a new paygrade. Often, this was several months before being paid at the new level.

    When a chief transferred, he or she joined a new command with built-in credibility and influence. To be clear, this action is based on tradition as much as an understanding of familiarity.

    People who are familiar or unfamiliar will treat leaders or new team members as a potential threat until proven otherwise.

    Objectively, our brains are wired this way. We don’t like change. As a result, we get jealous of people who are elevated into authority or who are given greater influence.

    If you can’t get a transfer to a new team, how do you gain credibility and influence?

    For me, it’s about working with positive intent. Expressly, pursue the team relationships with openness and curiosity.

    For this reason, we’ve been given two ears and one mouth. We need to listen with the intent to understand other people.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • How To Prevent Burnout – Just Say No

    Posted on by Tim

    We must learn to just say no. Europe takes a vacation in August. In the U.S., we don’t take a month off work.

    As people, we need time off to relax, recharge, and reconnect with family and friends.

    Creative work is hard. It demands a lot of energy to stay focused on the goals. As a result, rest is a second thought.

    If one factor tops others, then it is rest. Rest is essential to staying mentally sharp.

    A quick search on rest revealed the following articles:

    If research is indicating rest is important to performance, why, then are we avoiding rest?

    Just say no

    Based on neuroscience, the human brain is wired to seek pleasure. Because dopamine is released into the brain when it encounters enjoyment, behavior becomes pleasure-seeking reinforced.

    In a way, the same thing happens when we connect with people. As well, when we take on and complete projects.

    So, it seems we have wired ourselves for overload. As a result, we’re seeking more dopamine to increase our happiness.

    We resist just saying no as it would stop dopamine from flowing in our brains.

    It’s fair to ask, is burnout worth the dopamine high? Science indicates it isn’t.

    Learn to say no and get some rest. It will do you and those around you good.

    Krk island, Croatia

    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Reflections On Blogging – Year One Complete

    Posted on by Tim

    For me, blogging each weekend nearly one year ago. The action to do it was inspired by my move to Improving. This post covers my reflections on blogging regularly.

    Done is greater than perfect.

    Each blog post on LinkedIn came with risk. In my mind, there are a lot of questions around how posts would be received.

    • First, would people view them?
    • Second, then read them?
    • Third, would people comment on them?
    • Fourth, then share them?
    • Finally, will the posts be valued?

    As a result, I can’t say I’m content. I am focused, like my post on Scrum value #2, but definitely not comfortable.

    Reflections on blogging

    As I write, I become more aware of what I don’t know.

    My new LinkedIn profile banner
    My old LinkedIn profile banner

    By sharing my views, I open myself up to critics. As well, I open myself up to learning.

    Blogging puts me back into the competition instead of sitting in the stands, observing others expressing their own understanding and views.

    Most of my posts don’t go viral. I rarely see more than 1,000 views on LinkedIn. I see even fewer views on this blog.

    That doesn’t stop me from sharing. By failing, I’ve learned what not to do. I’ve learned how to hurt and offend people.

    As a result, I’m not proud of my learning. I am willing to share it to help others act and choose a different path.

    I have a video posted on this blog that speaks to heroes, trauma, and finding “normal”.

    For me, blogging allows me to share the scars I earned in life. To help people understand each other and extend kindness.

    If blogging only positively impacts one person’s life, then my sharing has done what it was intended to do.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • A View Into You, You Are One Person Not Two

    Posted on by Tim

    Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be one person at work and another in their social life? I found it odd until I started reflecting on my behavior. I discovered you are only one person.

    How I behave at work, on my team, should be no different than when I’m at home with family and friends. I did some research on this and found a term to describe the behavior.

    The behavior is called “cognitive dissonance.” Feel free to read the article at your leisure.

    The “mind friction” between the differing behaviors leads to challenges that impact relationships.

    Teams are affected by the members’ interactions. As a performance indicator, it is worth looking at social and work behavior. There might be a weak signal that points to a degree of “mind friction”.

    One person, many adaptations

    It’s worth noting that team members do adapt their behavior to the support team’s performance. I don’t consider this a concern unless someone is miserable working on the team.

    Adaptation helps us to survive and thrive in our environment. We see it in nature with camouflage patterns. The tricky part is when the adaptation is a move to an extreme.

    Extreme adaptations can lead to “mind friction”. As a result, the team can help its members self-adjust if awareness is increased around behavior indicators.

    No one wants to be miserable on a team. It’s up to the team to look out for its members.

    Consider this, I’m not a carpenter. And yet, I wanted to work with my daughters to create something.

    I didn’t disagree with their ideas about how we would build a “rock box”. Instead, I accepted whatever came of the project.

    wooden box
    Finished rock box project

    I avoided trying to be something I am not. We owe it to our teams to do the same.

    Let’s not force them into changing against their will. Instead, help them adapt their abilities and skills to support team outcomes.


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork 📎and tagged

  • Why Balance Between Humanity And Technology Matters

    Posted on by Tim

    For as good as technology is, it should always have a human focus. When we strip away the humanity, we end up losing the vibrancy of the human experience. By adding humanity back into the mix, we restore the balance between humanity and technology in our lives.

    I’m all for reducing the error margin that technology brings into our lives. Additionally, I see how much pain and suffering tech has removed from the lives of many people. My concern is how we are seeing people disconnecting from each other and not having healthy relationships.

    If tech enables a better, richer, more productive human experience, then it should be considered as a positive. If it only serves to damage and hurt people more often than not, then it should be avoided, not encouraged.

    Developing products and services using technology is a worthwhile pursuit. In my mind, much good has happened by continuing to evolve computing and software over the decades since computers were built.

    The Space Shuttle on display at the Air & Space Museum – https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center

    Finding the balance between

    There is no quick fix to this challenge. Easy answers cover the complexity under the issue.

    To start, look at technology as a tool. It’s not good or bad, just a way to achieve outcomes.

    Secondly, look for ways to test tech’s use:

    • Does this help me be a more effective?
    • Will this help others achieve desired outcomes?
    • Does this waste more time than create more time?
    • Will this improve communication, collaboration, and other human interactions?

    Finally, if question like the ones above are a next positive, then the technology probably is beneficial.

    I challenge you to take a look around. Look hard at your tech use. Be bold and ask yourself and others tough questions.

    If the answers you find disappoint, change your engagement. Because, you own technology, not the other way around.


    📂This entry was posted in Agile Technology 📎and tagged

  • Agile Value #1 – People And Tools

    Posted on by Tim

    Part 1 in a 4 part series. This post covers communication and collaboration.

    To start 2022 off right, I’m writing a series on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. Given that the Manifesto is quickly reaching 21-years-old, I wanted to cover my learning and reflection on its impact.

    Two disclosures:

    1. I am not a software developer
    2. When this was published, I thought it was a fad

    The first value;

    Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

    Manifesto for Agile Software Development

    Communication and collaboration. Keys to positive and productive human interaction. For each of us, this takes on different meaning depending on the context of the interaction.

    As I wrote in my first post of the year, tools don’t fix problems. People fix problems. The Manifesto signers understood this in the context of software development.

    And yet, this also applies to other pursuits as well.

    If a team doesn’t know what the problem is, let alone how it might be solved, do processes and tools matter?

    For me, the answer is a simple ‘no.’ No, processes and tools alone will not identify the problem. I am writing from experience.

    If I have a bent nail I need to remove from a wood board, would I use a screw driver to fix the problem? No, I would need to find a claw-head hammer to remove the bent nail.

    Houston, we have a problem (communication and collaboration)

    Stepping back, if the financial health of my company is failing, do I know what the points of cause are for the problem? Maybe, maybe not, it depends. Discovery is required to figure out what may be cause the money loss.

    Can a tool determine the cause, not knowing what the problem is?

    Can a process define the problem?

    Simply answered, no. It takes bright, talented people working together (individuals and interactions) to define the problem. Then those same people set out to solve the problem.

    In life, there is no certainty from one day to the next day. It’s time to embrace the uncertainty and get down to working on today’s problems.

    The key is using communication and collaboration to solve the right problems.

    Value 1, Value 2, Value 3, Value 4


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • Coasting Along Or Improving To The Stars?

    Posted on by Tim

    Two moments in November really struck me. They caused me to think, am I improving or coasting?

    For me, working at Improving Enterprises indicates I should be improving at a sustainable pace. Sustainable pace is subjective and relative to the person. It might look like a rocket ship for you and a slight hill for me.

    Firstly, one of our vice presidents, Tim Rayburn ended our monthly Dallas townhall with an exercise. It was designed to help us think differently about recruiting. Near the end, he said something to the effect of,

    “Improvers talk to people who are probably Improvers, they just don’t know it yet.”

    Tim Rayburn

    Bold statement and a solid indicator for company culture.

    Secondly, another executive, Ken Howard facilitated an evening training session on human interaction. He was covering motivation at one point when he mentioned,

    “We discovered that many of our colleagues are geared toward creativity and learning.”

    Ken Howard

    This is a strong indicator for problems getting solved. But not messes getting cleaned up in the breakroom!

    Company culture is impacting business operations. As a result, how culture is built influences how business value is created.

    I write posts using the tag “humans being.” Occasionally, I make a mess of interactions with people.

    How do I fix my mess? I have to work on my “soft skills”. At times, I ask to be forgiven. I stop speaking mid-sentence.

    Stuck waffles
    An improvement opportunity in waffle making

    Stop coasting and start improving

    From start to finish, life is about continuous improvement. Life is painful in that way. But, I would not trade it for the alternative!

    So, this gets back to my starting question. Are you (and me) improving or coasting?

    Trust me, there isn’t anything wrong with coasting. From time to time, coasting is a good thing!

    Consider this question when your goal setting for next year. Improving or coasting, the choice is yours. Finally, I choose improving, you should too.


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork 📎and tagged

  • How To Figure Out What To Be

    Posted on by Tim

    “What do you want to be, when you grow up?”

    Seriously, this is a question I struggle with almost daily. Yeah, about that question. I’ll let you know once I’ve figured it out.

    Given that I don’t have an answer, here’s what I’ve discovered for myself. Mostly, it’s about attributes (and adjectives) in life. I enjoy:

    • Being on high performing teams
    • Contributing to problem solving
    • Laughing at work
    • Connecting with fellow humans being
    • Getting to geek out at work
    • Telling story that relate different topics
    • Writing witty content for the internet!

    The list could be longer, but I don’t want to bore you (or me for that matter).

    What I don’t want to be

    I figured out that I don’t want to be a “forever child”. I joined the Navy at 19 years old and I never looked back. As well, I never went back home.

    USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) patch
    USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) ship seal

    I didn’t want to go back home, so I don’t want to feel trapped by my past. Can you relate?

    I don’t want to be taken too seriously. I’m serious, but not so serious that I would ask the question to a child or young person, “What do you want to be, when you grow up?”

    I don’t want to be insincere.

    I think this list is long enough to get my point across. There is too much pressure to figure out a constantly changing set of preferences in life.

    Life is about preference

    If my high school career counselor could see what happened to me, she would be amazed. I took a career aptitude inventory during my second or third year. It seemed to consign me to hair styling.

    How ironic! I’m partially bald now!

    That inventory challenged me to figure out a different way toward a career. I re-invented myself when I joined the Navy. As a result, I’ve been re-inventing me ever since!

    Most of my pivots are based on preference. Having choices and options is a good thing! I’m glad that I do.

    So, the next time I get asked or you get asked, “What do you want to be, when you grow up?”, consider this answer.

    Once I’ve figured it out, I’ll let you know!

    In the meantime, explore your preferences. See if teamwork is your thing (since you may have to be a team player at some time). Look for ways to geek out and get paid!

    All I would like is that you don’t stay a “forever child”. Find a career path that works for you. Who knows, maybe we can work together in tech?


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • How To Be An Undercover Geek

    Posted on by Tim

    As a kid growing up in rural, central California, my Dad took me to the International Farm Equipment Show. It was a highlight for me because I spent the entire day with my Dad. As well, it was the first place where totally “geeked out!” I also discovered the I’m an undercover geek.

    Yeah, I know, this reads a bit silly, and I’m OK with that.

    Let me break down what, for me, being an undercover geek is about. Firstly, it’s about seeing new technology on display, before it hits the market. Secondly, it’s about getting beta or preview access to new software. Finally, it’s about (or used to be about) getting the hottest, newest tech before anyone else.

    Most important, its about NOT shouting about all this new stuff from the roof tops!

    I can’t emphasize this point enough. DO NOT TELL ANYONE you have access to new tech or go to events where new tech is on display!

    Crew standing topside on the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742)
    Commissioning crew photo from the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742)

    For me, being a geek was not what I wanted as an identity when I was younger. Now, I’m mostly OK with the label. Please don’t ask me to come over and fix your computer at home!

    Back then, I was embarrassed about how my peers would see me. It was not cool to be a geek where I grew up. Times are different now.

    I choose to geek differently as an adult than when I was a kid and teenager. I had a beta GMail account, before it went mainstream. I’m blogging on a laptop with a preview release of Windows 11.

    I still struggle with the stigma of being an undercover geek. It’s not easy to outgrow the pain that came with the label. Although, I’m on complaining about the pay days as an adult!

    Find your undercover geek and be OK

    I want to encourage you. It’s OK to be an undercover geek. Don’t worry about what people might say if they found out that you have a passion for technology.

    From a fellow undercover geek, I have your back. I figured out a way to make being an undercover geek pay off. Believe me, I never would have imagined that I could be part of a nuclear submarine crew when I was five!

    Be cool, stay calm, and geek on!


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged