I'll speak for myself, but I think what I'm saying is characteristic of what I'd call the "computer geek" persona.
Last week, Brian McDonald from MOR Associates was on campus for a IT Leadership Program (ITLP) alumni meeting. It was an energizing talk which reminded us of what we've done, the goals we set, and our current progress.
One of the things that Brian spoke about was Marshall Goldsmith's book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There". He reminded the group that many of us have our positions in IT at Penn State because we were, or still are, good at implementing things (programmers, systems folks, designers, etc.). We now have to focus less on how to implement things and more on why those things need to be implemented or what the consequences of those implementations are. He said, "Look, I know you can't help yourselves, but it's what you need to do."
Consider me one of those folks who can't help himself. I'm trying to get better, but I think implementation details are part of the very nature of being a scientist or engineer. When we had this discussion in my ITLP class, I told the group about my favorite sign in the Computer Building. It's above a printer in our copy room and says, "Do not under any circumstances attempt to repair.. " I'm always amused by this sign. My response is that while I understand why we shouldn't try to repair the printer, "We can't help ourselves."
My new favorite sign is located in the Men's bathroom on the first floor of the Computer Building (and although I suspect there are some equally creative women in the building, I do not plan on checking). It's a sign provided by Penn State Environmental Health and Safety, which states "Good Health Habits...During Flu Season Wash Your Hands!" Ours has the "During Flu Season" crossed out and says, "Always!"
What can I say, "We can't help ourselves."
Rather than rationalize this, and leave it at that, let me say that I've been trying very hard in the last 18 months to LISTEN to the whole problem, REFLECT on the requirements, and then, and only then, THINK about an implementation. Please help me if you catch me implementing on the fly.
What can I say, "I can't help myself."
