A LIST Apart: For People Who Make Websites

No. 258

Discuss: Hat Heads vs. Bed Heads

by Keith LaFerriere

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1 Hat Heads vs. Bed Heads

Thanks for very interesting article Keith. I like this part of Your article “Adaptation doesn’t just mean change. Adapting is more about being flexible and seeing other points of view.” and “If you’re wearing the right hat, your client will appreciate the effort. Just don’t spend so much time choosing the right hat that you forget to wear pants.” Keep up the great work. Regards

posted at 01:06 pm on September 25, 2007 by Dave Black

2 Understanding the Managerial Role(s)

A very nice assessment. Some good key points on understanding personality types, particularly within development companies. I think as the years have gone by, and a significant loss of ego, I’ve come to appreciate the points made here. That there are big picture people, and detail-oriented people, and knowing how to employ the right talents for the right tasks is critical in fostering both harmony inside the project team and getting results for the client.

posted at 05:40 pm on September 25, 2007 by Scott Walldren

3 results

Scott,

You hit on a great point: results. Whether you’re on a team working on a project for your boss or working on a project for a client, everyone is looking for the same thing: Results.

I’ve seen some incredible “individual contributors” come together and produce very high-level deliverables by working together in, as you say, harmony. Thanks for the post.

posted at 06:50 pm on September 25, 2007 by Keith LaFerriere

4 User Centered Design

Keith, great article. I really enjoyed reading it! I understand you are a supporter and practitioner of UCD and just wanted to make one comment for others to chew on – the more I learn, the more I realize the basic premise and goal of User Centered Design is applicable to almost any facet of life. Whether the context is web design or raising children, thoughtful consideration of people and their particular needs, communication styles, idiosyncrasies, et cetera, will frequently, if not always, provide a favorable outcome. This may seem obvious for most of you out there, but in the event that that isn’t the case, re-read Keith’s article with your UCD filter on to see the methodology successfully applied in a relational context. Thanks Keith.

posted at 07:57 pm on September 25, 2007 by Chris Bobbett

5 BINGO!

There it is, isn’t it? The idea that being a good and, more importantly, thoughtful listener will gain you so much in just about any area of your life. Admittedly, I tend to do a better job at this with work than any other place, but maybe that’s because I “expect” tension based on experience.

Something else to chew on: I saw a presentation yesterday where the principal theory was “Even if someone is really pissing you off, just give it some time and they’ll impress you.” This sentiment was handed down by Jon Snoddy, a leading Imagineer at Disney. I share his belief that everyone has their place on a project, but our job is to make sure that everyone has the same GOAL on a project.

posted at 08:10 pm on September 25, 2007 by Keith LaFerriere

6 A bit stereotyped

Do you really believe in the traditional roles/hats? Sounds like the old stereotypes of being creative versus managing. I don’t think this is true or should be true.

posted at 08:10 pm on September 25, 2007 by Andreas Berg

7 Of course

Hi, Andreas:

To answer your question directly, of course I do or I wouldn’t have written it.

The unfortunate truth is that until the next wave of thinking (notice I didn’t say “management techniques”) are brought to the highest levels of corporate governance, there will this disconnect.

The good news? It’s already started. When I hear of projects where the creative director and the client sponsor are having direct and thoughtful discussions in full disclosure, I know there’s hope for a better team experience.

posted at 08:17 pm on September 25, 2007 by Keith LaFerriere

8 Untitled

Keith,

A thoughtful piece that I see as timeless but adjustable. The relationship itself may someday come to be a non-issue, but your main point about working with personalities is why thought leaders will always remain a commodity.

Thank you for the article.

posted at 09:45 pm on September 25, 2007 by Richard Trainor

9 Belbin & Myers Briggs

A great teams can be built when the mix of its people is correct from a Myers Briggs or more especially Belbin personality types – you don’t want 30 shapers and plants and no completer/finishers – nothing will ever be finished despite what they say as they will get it working (assuming all inputs are correct & never test edge cases) or keep fiddling until the code is fast/elegant/rewritten using ruby/changed to use PEAR etc etc). Pairing a shaper & and a finisher works really well. I have seen projects fail that have the ‘brightest’ but they are all shapers & plants.

The trick is recognising these & applying the right person to the task eg give a shaper – the task of creating an initial design – give it to a finisher to review both will be much happier for it.

This also relates to rewarding staff for good work. As a (very strong) Briggs Myer Introvert I would rather get a private thank you in the bosses office & a letter on my staff file rather than getting a plaque or statue at a staff meeting or awards ceremony – whereas the Brigss Myer extrovert would rather the public pat on the back & a big plaque they can dispaly to the world.

posted at 09:45 am on September 26, 2007 by Kim Mihaly

10 corporate training

Hi, Kim:

Good points on the roles supplied by both Belbin and Myers Briggs. I think one of the largest issues with teaching a team how to work together is that depending on where you work, you’ll be corralled into a large antiseptic environment where a very talented corporate trainer will give you tools to assess yourself and your team, after which you’ll probably feel somewhat enlightened (if you’re a hat head) or somewhat creeped out (if you’re a bed head).

Corporate training to me is like attending church: if you don’t go all the time and pay attention, it’s not going to stick with you. You should have a core set of beliefs and they can be based on whatever system you desire, but the persistent practice of these beliefs is what will help create better relationships.

Thank you for bringing this into the fold.

posted at 01:09 pm on September 26, 2007 by Keith LaFerriere

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