Brian On Software

This is the second installment of lessons learned from reading “The Big Moo“.  It goes inline with the first lesson learned about compromises.  This time, we’re talking about being “extreme” in the sense that you shouldn’t accept status quo if there’s no value, no growth and no opportunities associated with a given situation that you’re involved in.  I hope that the following essay taken directly from the book will inspire you to be different, to be realistic, but more importantly to be remarkable in taking sound actions to push the barrier for excellence a bit higher even when the crowd shouts differently.  It’s important that you realize when “enough is enough” and realize that your integrity and credibility is on the line every time you’re doing something that violates your set of values and principles.  Here is the full text from (once again) an unknown author:

They Say I’m Extreme

They say I’m extreme.
I say I’m a realist.

They say I demand too much.
I say they accept mediocrity and continuous improvement too readily.

They say, “We can’t handle this much change.”
I say, “Your job and career are in jeopardy; what other options do you have?”

They say, “What’s wrong with a ‘good product’?”
I say, “Wal-Mart or China or both are about to eat your lunch.  Why can’t you provide instead a fabulous experience?”

They say, “Take a deep breath.  Be calm.”
I say, “Tell it to Wal-Mart.  Tell it to China.  Tell it to India.  Tell it to Dell.  Tell it to Microsoft.”

They say the Web is a useful tool.
I say the Web changes everything.  Now.

They say, “We need an initiative.”
I say, “We need a dream.  And dreamers.”

They say great design is “nice”.
I say great design is necessary.

They say, “Effective governance is important.”
I say bold, brash boards that are representative of the market served – more than a token woman or two and an empty seat for the “forthcoming Hispanic” – are an imperative.  Now.

They say, “Plan it.”
I say, “Do it”.

They say, “We need more steady, loyal employees.”
I say, “We need more ‘freaks’ who routinely tell those in charge to take a flying leap…before it’s too late.”

They say, “We need Good People.”
I say, “We need Quirky Talent.”

They say, “We like people who, with steely determination, say, ‘I can make it better’.”
I say, “I love people who, with a certain maniacal gleam in their eye, perhaps even a giggle, say, ‘I can turn the world upside down.  Watch me!’”

They say, “Sure, we need change.”
I say we need revolution now.

They say, “Fast follower.”
I say, “Battered and bruised leader.”

They say, “Conglomerate and imitate!”
I say, “Create and innovate!”

They say, “Market share.”
I say, “Market creation.”

They say, “Improve and maintain.”
I say, “Destroy and reimagine.”

They say, “Normal.”
I say, “Weird.”

They say, “Happy balance.”
I say, “Creative tension.”

They say they favor a “team that works and lives in harmony.”
I say, “Give me a raucous brawl among the most creative people imaginable.”

They say, “Peace, brother.”
I say, “Bruise my feelings.  Flatten my ego.  Save my job.”

They say, “Basic black.”
I say, “Technicolor rules!”

They say, “We need happy customers.”
I say, “Give me pushy, needy, nasty, provocative customers.”

They say, “We seek Harvard M.B.A.s.”
I say, “I seek certificate-free ‘Ph.D.S’ from the School of Hard Knocks.”

They say they want recruits with “spotless records.”
I say, “the spots are what matter most.”

They say, “Integrity is important.”
I say, “Tell the unvarnished truth, all the time…or take a hike.”

They say diversity is a “good thing.”
I say diversity is breath of fresh, creative air – absolutely necessary for economic salvation in perilous times.

They say it’s “daunting.”
I say it’s “a hoot.”

They say, “Zero defects.”
I say, “A day without a screwup or two is a day pissed away.”

They say, “Think about it.”
I say, “Try it.”

They say, “Plan it.”
I say, “Test it.”

They say, “Radical change takes a decade.”
I say, “Radical change takes a minute.”

They say, “Times are changing.”
I say, “Everything has already changed.  Tomorrow is the first day of your revolution…or you’re toast.”

They say, “We can’t all be revolutionaries.”
I say, “Why not?”

They say, “We can’t all be a brand.”
I say, “Why not?”

They say this is just a rant.
I say this is just reality.