Top-Down Productivity

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  djmnsf02/22/07 Reported as spam
  1

  Don't walk, run to his book

  It's a quick read, super practical, and better than all the old methods. But you have to be disciplined. Getting Things Done is the book. The cult is GTD.

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  jlrobins05/29/07 Report as spam
  2

  Hardened old geezer laughs: The latest management trend?

  ...at least this time, it treats people like they have some value. Remember "re-engineering"? Or was it Tom Peters' theory/theories? Or, if you are real old, 'Theory X vs Theory Y'? Oh, I can't forget Covey!
  
  I don't blame the book(s) or anything like that. It is just the 'management trend of the month/year/decade' approach that bothers me. Every one of these has had great value and helped many companies/organizations. And I have participated in my share as a believer.
  
  But I have become a bit hardened. I see myself as having joined the category of "ultimate realist"... many would refer to me as a "cynic".
  
  I am just waiting to see what is done by zealots that go to extremes or misuse generally valid approaches. Some will unwittingly take this too far, and turn it into a paperwork nightmare for their staff; having them report way too much. Some will twist the methods to justify and reinforce their need for control and/or harsh personal style.
  
  I am actually infuriated by how the misuses and abuses cloud the value of otherwise good approaches, techniques, and tools. So in a sense, I am also a disillusioned optimist...

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  kgashok05/29/07 Report as spam
  3

  Be a skeptic, not a cynic

  As a cynic, you doubt people's intentions. As a skeptic you doubt new found knowledge.
  
  I think you must give the benefit of the doubt to people. That's why I advocate you be a skeptic.
  
  As to what works, what doesn't work - the most idiotic ideas actually work in the most weirdest circumstances for the most illogical person. I have seen this personally.
  
  Your job is experiment with as many ideas, concepts, theories as possible, and see what works for you for your particular situation.