I brought out a DVD of Casablanca (purchased in 1995) and watched it with my kids. Surprisingly they enjoyed a movie made nearly 80 years ago. If I had watched an 80-year-old movie when I was in high school, it would have been silent. Probably not as enjoyable. What is Casablanca about? Very few people … Continue reading The importance of a hill of beans
Author: Jonathan Mates
We don’t need another hero
"It's going to take some boldness and courage," she said, "to be willing to approach the other teams and be open with your data, but it's the only way we're going to succeed." The discussion was around the need to work together with other departments within our organization. This was new for us, because these … Continue reading We don’t need another hero
The challenge of collective action
As I write this, we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collective action - when we all act together - is playing out in the headlines, as we watch from isolation. Collective action comes in various forms: Constructive collective action, with people keeping social distance and stores and businesses doing what they can … Continue reading The challenge of collective action
Poker and Healthcare
The professional poker player Annie Duke, in various articles and podcasts, answers the question about whether life is more similar to chess or poker. She makes the point that in poker there is a large element of chance. No matter how good a player you are, some of the cards remain face down, and what … Continue reading Poker and Healthcare
Team Fundamentals, part 2
In the previous post. I wrote about how every team has four foundational elements. As a reminder, they are: PurposePeopleMeasuresMethods What would make each element successful? For each foundational element, you want to check for: Clarity - Is the concept clear and specific?Agreement - Does every team member have the same understanding, and do they … Continue reading Team Fundamentals, part 2
Team Fundamentals, part 1
My friend got a new job involving the oversight of several departments, most of which were new to her. She was told that these teams needed improvement and asked me about a general framework for evaluating a team she had never seen before. Of course if you know the domain well, you've got a mental … Continue reading Team Fundamentals, part 1
How I Journal
It's a new year, and with it comes resolutions. I resolve to re-invigorate this blog, which has languished in the throes of a new job and new life patterns. For me, a new year also means cracking open a new journal. I have tried, on and off, to keep a diary or journal since 1983. In … Continue reading How I Journal
