Comments on: Yearn for the vast and endless sea! http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/ Chief Information Officer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:18:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marc "Pipes" Strickland http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-468 Marc "Pipes" Strickland Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:02:28 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-468 Said another way, "A good leader is not someone who can do the work of ten men, but someone who can get ten men to do the work." A good leader can instill vision, which in turn, motivates. To catch a vision of the sea may require a leader to take someone to or on the sea. Depending on the outcome, the individual may then need mentoring to help define what he can now do with his new found knowledge and how to set about it. Understanding the difference between an OBJECTIVE and a GOAL is also a key component to motivation. Said another way, “A good leader is not someone who can do the work of ten men, but someone who can get ten men to do the work.”

A good leader can instill vision, which in turn, motivates. To catch a vision of the sea may require a leader to take someone to or on the sea. Depending on the outcome, the individual may then need mentoring to help define what he can now do with his new found knowledge and how to set about it. Understanding the difference between an OBJECTIVE and a GOAL is also a key component to motivation.

]]> By: Alan Johnson http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-456 Alan Johnson Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:11:21 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-456 Great discussion. I feel that clear direction is key and that a valuable vision is critical in achieving results, but what motivates and keeps the "yearning" burning? I believe it is accomplished by providing opportunities for those we work with (in all directions) to have experiences that validate 1) we are headed in a worthy direction, 2) we are providing products and services that help those who use them make a difference in their lives and the lives of others, and 3) we are continually adding to the ways that all people can come to know The Savior and improve their relationship with Him. When those of us who have the chance to be involved in this work have experiences like that, what could be better motivation? Great discussion. I feel that clear direction is key and that a valuable vision is critical in achieving results, but what motivates and keeps the “yearning” burning? I believe it is accomplished by providing opportunities for those we work with (in all directions) to have experiences that validate 1) we are headed in a worthy direction, 2) we are providing products and services that help those who use them make a difference in their lives and the lives of others, and 3) we are continually adding to the ways that all people can come to know The Savior and improve their relationship with Him. When those of us who have the chance to be involved in this work have experiences like that, what could be better motivation?

]]> By: Mark Pammesberger http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-453 Mark Pammesberger Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:25:34 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-453 Well I must say, that the new church sites look great. When I remember the beginnings of church web sites, they all looked a bit like made with frontpage. It is a great improvement from the late 1980 until today. I must say I come about twice a day or sometimes more often to one of the church sites to read up on news and information, or to have a quick read of the scriptures at work or for reference purpose. Working myself in a development area I know how difficult and straining it is to put new content pages together. It must have been a huge job - but it is well done! Well I must say, that the new church sites look great. When I remember the beginnings of church web sites, they all looked a bit like made with frontpage. It is a great improvement from the late 1980 until today. I must say I come about twice a day or sometimes more often to one of the church sites to read up on news and information, or to have a quick read of the scriptures at work or for reference purpose. Working myself in a development area I know how difficult and straining it is to put new content pages together. It must have been a huge job – but it is well done!

]]> By: Patrick Faulk http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-439 Patrick Faulk Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:35:52 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-439 In reference to "Aha!" moments, I remember the first time I was a Ward Finanncial Clerk and sat down with the FIS program (circa 1990). As an IT professional I appreciated how well the tool fit the task - it was both simple and elegant. It was obvious that the designers had a "perfect understanding" of my needs (I surmised that at least some of them had actually held the calling at some point!). Such moments are what I have always strived for as a designer and developer - something that we experience far too rarely in today's marketplace. In reference to “Aha!” moments, I remember the first time I was a Ward Finanncial Clerk and sat down with the FIS program (circa 1990). As an IT professional I appreciated how well the tool fit the task – it was both simple and elegant. It was obvious that the designers had a “perfect understanding” of my needs (I surmised that at least some of them had actually held the calling at some point!). Such moments are what I have always strived for as a designer and developer – something that we experience far too rarely in today’s marketplace.

]]> By: Russell http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-432 Russell Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:53:30 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-432 First let me say, what a great discussion. Motivation is such an elussive topic because it's different for all of us. However, I believe we're touching on a common key. Joel's quote points to building a ship. That's part of some larger plan. Above there are references to technology. These are also parts of a plan. (Many may call these goals, but they've missed the point.) What appears to be missing is a clear definition of the goal. Why are we building a ship? Why are we building a website? Why are we creating databases of gospel literature and other materials? The answer to those questions is the goal. Plans need to have time tables, owners, and numerous other details that make up a complete plan. Goals on the other hand, are the vision that drive the plan. If we can clearly define and then communicate those goals to others, that's the first step in motivation. I believe the next step is ownership. How do I give my vision to someone else so they make it their own? This requires knowing your people. Everyone has their own ambitions. At root, we're seeking some or all of the following: power, recognition, safety, adventure. If we know which of these are of real importance to the individual, we can show help them understand how the broad goal gives them what's important. As a manager of people, it takes a little more effort than just making a schedule with resources and checkpoints. We have to know our team. Just as a sports coach knows his team, he knows their strengths and weaknesses on the field. He knows what exercises to give to help them grow. Managing developers, support engineers, or sales people is no different. We need to understand enough to know what is important to each. Know their individual ambitions, and know how to use that to bring their actions in line with the team goals and plans. To finish with a ship building analogy, The worker who understands that the wood they are working on will become the hull of a ship they will sail on will do a better job than the worker who just has dementions for a board to cut and attach to a frame. First let me say, what a great discussion.

Motivation is such an elussive topic because it’s different for all of us. However, I believe we’re touching on a common key. Joel’s quote points to building a ship. That’s part of some larger plan. Above there are references to technology. These are also parts of a plan. (Many may call these goals, but they’ve missed the point.)
What appears to be missing is a clear definition of the goal.
Why are we building a ship? Why are we building a website? Why are we creating databases of gospel literature and other materials?
The answer to those questions is the goal.
Plans need to have time tables, owners, and numerous other details that make up a complete plan.
Goals on the other hand, are the vision that drive the plan. If we can clearly define and then communicate those goals to others, that’s the first step in motivation.
I believe the next step is ownership. How do I give my vision to someone else so they make it their own? This requires knowing your people. Everyone has their own ambitions. At root, we’re seeking some or all of the following: power, recognition, safety, adventure. If we know which of these are of real importance to the individual, we can show help them understand how the broad goal gives them what’s important.
As a manager of people, it takes a little more effort than just making a schedule with resources and checkpoints. We have to know our team. Just as a sports coach knows his team, he knows their strengths and weaknesses on the field. He knows what exercises to give to help them grow.
Managing developers, support engineers, or sales people is no different. We need to understand enough to know what is important to each. Know their individual ambitions, and know how to use that to bring their actions in line with the team goals and plans.
To finish with a ship building analogy, The worker who understands that the wood they are working on will become the hull of a ship they will sail on will do a better job than the worker who just has dementions for a board to cut and attach to a frame.

]]> By: Scott Wolff http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-426 Scott Wolff Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:31:25 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-426 Congratulations on the redesign and launch of lds.org. <em>[Joel: Thanks!]</em>  Congratulations on the redesign and launch of lds.org.

[Joel: Thanks!] 

]]> By: Sister Phyl http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-425 Sister Phyl Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:41:08 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-425 How about a wonderful feedback mechanism so that when some enhancement is put in place people can say thank you! I would like to let your department know how much it is appreciated. I am very grateful for the Stake and Ward Web sites!! They aren't perfect, but neither are we. The sites and the membership are a work in progress. Just like we can see the potential in others, we can see the potential in the sites. <em>[Joel: Thanks!]</em> How about a wonderful feedback mechanism so that when some enhancement is put in place people can say thank you! I would like to let your department know how much it is appreciated. I am very grateful for the Stake and Ward Web sites!! They aren’t perfect, but neither are we. The sites and the membership are a work in progress. Just like we can see the potential in others, we can see the potential in the sites.

[Joel: Thanks!]

]]> By: KyleM http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-421 KyleM Mon, 29 Jan 2007 23:09:36 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-421 As a coach, I expect effort from my athletes, but I'm a high school coach. Pro coaches want results. The same is true in every profession. Effort is something you admire in people, but results are what matter. Regarding the quote for this post, I think many techies have the technical yearning. Many Latter-day Saints have a yearning for the gospel. Some Latter-day Saints may have a yearning for both. The trick is to find those that have a yearning for both, but who can also do the job. You don't want Kip Dynamite working for you, even though he "still love[s] technology, always and forever." <em>[Joel: Bonus points for a Napolean Dynamite reference. :) ]</em> As a coach, I expect effort from my athletes, but I’m a high school coach. Pro coaches want results.

The same is true in every profession. Effort is something you admire in people, but results are what matter.

Regarding the quote for this post, I think many techies have the technical yearning. Many Latter-day Saints have a yearning for the gospel. Some Latter-day Saints may have a yearning for both. The trick is to find those that have a yearning for both, but who can also do the job. You don’t want Kip Dynamite working for you, even though he “still love[s] technology, always and forever.”

[Joel: Bonus points for a Napolean Dynamite reference. :) ]

]]> By: Richard http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Richard Sat, 27 Jan 2007 06:02:39 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-412 Apparently, Antoine also once said "The one thing that matters is the effort". How would that fit in the earlier post on performance = result? Apparently, Antoine also once said “The one thing that matters is the effort”. How would that fit in the earlier post on performance = result?

]]> By: Thom http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/comment-page-1/#comment-411 Thom Sat, 27 Jan 2007 04:16:45 +0000 http://www.ldscio.org/2007/01/25/yearn-for-the-vast-and-endless-sea/#comment-411 Lincoln, you make an interesting point, but I think you've over-generalized. How 'bout: if you want to build interactive, online scripture tools, don't drum up the men and women to evaluate technologies, assign components, and make gantt charts. Instead, teach them to yearn for the Word of God. It's still too general, but getting a little closer. Lincoln, you make an interesting point, but I think you’ve over-generalized. How ’bout: if you want to build interactive, online scripture tools, don’t drum up the men and women to evaluate technologies, assign components, and make gantt charts. Instead, teach them to yearn for the Word of God.

It’s still too general, but getting a little closer.

]]>