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Embracing Fluidity: An Agile-Oriented Approach to Life
I was first introduced to the concepts of “agile” in 2007 as a newbie in the product management world. A small recruiting software company in Florida had poached me from a competitor to help expand their product offerings with the addition of a new performance management solution. Seeing as how we were given less than a year to accomplish this, the company decided to pilot a new software development methodology with our team, agile (Scrum, specifically). So off to training we all went and got certified. We returned and for 8 months we worked together in a tiny room to make it happen. And it did… …just in time for…
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Failure – The Best Teacher
Today, I want to discuss my first and most significant failure and how it was the best-worst thing that could have happened to me professionally. Not to brag, but in general, I have always had a fairly high success rate with whatever I’ve chosen to pursue… Enter Pino Napoli. My husband always had a desire to own his own business and as his partner and wife, I have supported that decision. Prior to our marriage, we agreed to live as though we had only one income and save the rest for our business endeavors. For ten years, we visited businesses for sale across the country and considered franchises or real…
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Problem Solving + Initiative – The Dynamic Duo of Competencies
Today I would like to discuss what I call the dynamic duo of competencies: problem solving and initiative. When these two particular competencies are combined, something magical happens. It reveals potential performance and/or development gaps that can pose a significant impact on the health and culture of an organization. I will explain my thinking by way of a simple scenario. Scenario: An employee recognizes they are experiencing difficulties performing their job duties. Employee Proficient in both Problem Solving & Initiative The employee researches professional development opportunities offered by the company or a 3rd party provider, gathers the information, meets with manager to discuss their knowledge gap and offers their recommendations of how…
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Problem Solving requires Clarity
I wrote this shortly after our first Florida relocation many years ago. —— Is there gum in your key? – post from 2009. My husband and I recently moved from Georgia to Florida. I was so excited at the prospect of warm weather and palm trees! Since we have two cars we decided to leave at different times. I would go first and take our puppy and he would come the next day. Unfortunately, I had to work on moving day and didn’t leave until that afternoon. I also thought it would be a good idea to invite my mom along for the ride and then fly her back the…
