http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/ Life is great, and it only gets better. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:14:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-25 Sat, 26 Aug 2006 14:03:53 +0000 http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-25 [...] As follow-up to a previous post, I wanted to share a recent experience related to having someone from outside the group come in and suggest new ideas. In this case, the outsider was myself, and I was representing the Agilist in a group that was just getting off the ground with Agile software practices. The first few things I noticed were: (1) how willing everyone was listen to my suggestions (as an unbiased outsider), (2) how much I actually did know (relative to the new group) and (3) who the internal champion was and how much he was struggling to transition the group. [...] […] As follow-up to a previous post, I wanted to share a recent experience related to having someone from outside the group come in and suggest new ideas. In this case, the outsider was myself, and I was representing the Agilist in a group that was just getting off the ground with Agile software practices. The first few things I noticed were: (1) how willing everyone was listen to my suggestions (as an unbiased outsider), (2) how much I actually did know (relative to the new group) and (3) who the internal champion was and how much he was struggling to transition the group. […]

]]> http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-22 Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:43:23 +0000 http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-22 Robert, this is a completely valid point, and I wish I could have avoided the thoughts that triggered this blog post, especially since I've played the role of internal champion a few times myself. I wrote the post mostly directed to those internal people struggling to make the changes as a way to help the organization and get some credit for the idea along the way. In other words, a good alternative way to achieve a "win-win" as the champion of some new idea is investigating and suggesting consultants come into the oganization with your ideas and then driving the change with that momentum. Using this way, the champion actually gets to be a champion. ;-) Robert, this is a completely valid point, and I wish I could have avoided the thoughts that triggered this blog post, especially since I’ve played the role of internal champion a few times myself. I wrote the post mostly directed to those internal people struggling to make the changes as a way to help the organization and get some credit for the idea along the way. In other words, a good alternative way to achieve a “win-win” as the champion of some new idea is investigating and suggesting consultants come into the oganization with your ideas and then driving the change with that momentum. Using this way, the champion actually gets to be a champion.

]]> http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-21 Tue, 22 Aug 2006 13:38:00 +0000 http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-21 I also agree that that is usually the easiest way to get new things in place. However, this can have the effect of creating a lot of bitter, resentful feelings in the internal people who had been suggesting the changes all along. Some of your most valuable people may begin to wonder whether or not their contributions are appreciated or even recognized. I also agree that that is usually the easiest way to get new things in place. However, this can have the effect of creating a lot of bitter, resentful feelings in the internal people who had been suggesting the changes all along. Some of your most valuable people may begin to wonder whether or not their contributions are appreciated or even recognized.

]]> http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-20 Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:55:32 +0000 http://www.mikelunt.com/blog/2006/08/20/outsiders/#comment-20 I totally agree. I think you could go even further and suggest that if you want to make any change in an existing organization, then step one is to hire an outsider to propose it. For example, instead of selling the idea internally, sell the idea that everyone attend an external training class or go see an external speaker. This way people start attributing the idea an outsider who is devoid of all internal politics. I totally agree. I think you could go even further and suggest that if you want to make any change in an existing organization, then step one is to hire an outsider to propose it. For example, instead of selling the idea internally, sell the idea that everyone attend an external training class or go see an external speaker. This way people start attributing the idea an outsider who is devoid of all internal politics.

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