Bring me to life

I got a really good laugh a few days ago when I read a post regarding some "enterprising" individuals who hacked an interstate message board. The hackers determined how to break into the road signs, used the default passwords, and changed the messages to some attention getting messages like the one to the left.

Aside from the obvious security issues this hack raises(come on DOT - the default password?!), it also raised concerns about motorist safety and how messages like this could easily distract a driver from safely navigating their vehicle. Trust me, looking for zombies on the highway is not worth it if you are going to end up in the local Level 1 trauma center.

We all have hacked road signs and zombies in our work life (admit it, you're already naming the zombies in your head). Both distract us from being the best leaders and team mates that we can be and can stop us from meeting our mission goals. As leaders, we have the responsibility to make sure our road signs are sending the right messages. Spend a little time thinking and developing your communications plan. Find ways to standardize your communications so your team knows what the road signs should say and to minimize the distractions.

We also have to find ways to wake up our zombies, including those who have titles which are higher in the org chart. Not an easy task. Not for the weak or faint of heart. Yes, you will be out of your comfort zone.

Leadership is no place for distractions, hacked road signs, or zombies. As you drive down your leadership road, keep focused on your mission and vision, make sure your road signs have the right messages, and bring your zombies to life!

Knowledge is power. Are you sharing so that others can add value?

As a security analyst I find that the mantra of only providing access to information on a need to know basis has a negative effect on my ability to add value to business processes. I have encountered project managers, directors and others with the best of intentions pursuing tasks without communicating their mission thoroughly.

Our teams tend to operate independently. Act first and communicate later is not a mature approach. Communications between management, project teams or support teams is sometimes restricted to a need to know basis. It seems like the only way we get a chance to add value is if a direct request for services is made.

Next comes the game of 20 questions until I get the information I need to gain the insight and details behind the request. The 'ahh' moments from those requesting services never ceases to amaze me. Once the sharing of information starts, I can add value in the form of perspective, actions, expertise or simply directing them to the correct resources.

Would you find the opportunity to add value rewarding? How do your teams communicate activities? Are you using social networking, wiki's or an internal blog?