Everyday PS, Leading the Right Way
Raymond Lai
The Three Questions To Ask When You Need Buy-In

Alright, it’s time to spread some positivity after the last article. If buy-in is so important for collaboration, then how do we get real clear with our teammates about our collective commitment before we embark on a solution? Here are 3 questions we should ask so we can get clarity on the problem, the effort, and the rollout of a solution.

Leading the Right Way
Raymond Lai
How a Lack of Buy-In Can Destroy Any Chance of ...

Silos are bad in organizations that need to collaborate to succeed. Kudos for trying to break down barriers between teams, but when the other side doesn’t buy in that a problem exists, any effort you put in to fix the silo problem is destined for failure. Here’s a personal story of effort, failure, and lessons learned.

How a Lack of Buy-In Can Destroy Any Chance of Collaboration
Leading the Right Way, Everyday PS
Raymond Lai
Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable - How We ...

Groupthink is terrible for decision making, but dissent that make a team go around in circles is probably worse. We’ve all been a part of long meetings where no one agrees but nobody feels they’ve accomplished anything when they leave the room. Break the cycle by disagreeing without being disagreeable. Read on to find out how to dissent for a cause and to be a a great dissenter.

Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable - How We Can Be Great Dissenters
Leading the Right Way
Raymond Lai
Developers are People Too - How to Make Friends ...

Do you only speak to development teams when you want something done? That's a sign that you consider your colleagues as tools rather than partners in crime. If you keep treating development teams like an afterthought, you'll find less participation, less care, and even worse, they will be rooting for your failure. 

Your development team deserves a seat at your solutioning table. Bring them in early, listen and act on their feedback, and help everyone understand the true objective of what you're trying to achieve for your client. Read more to find out why this is a great idea to foster trust between PS and Development teams.

Developers are People Too - How to Make Friends and Gain the Trust of Those Who Build Your Solutions
Leading the Right Way
Raymond Lai
Professional Altruism: How One Leader Inspired ...

Your very first one-on-one with your team shouldn't be a soul-sucking exercise. I experienced from one of my mentors an extremely memorable and impactful first meeting, and in the process learned a very valuable lesson: professional altruism. If you're in it to help others grow, then express that professional altruism from the start. 

Professional Altruism: How One Leader Inspired My One-on-Ones with my Own Team

Developers are people too

Developers are People Too - How to Make Friends and Gain the Trust of Those Who Build Your Solutions

Developers are People Too - How to Make Friends and Gain the Trust of Those Who Build Your Solutions

Do you only speak to development teams when you want something done? That's a sign that you consider your colleagues as tools rather than partners in crime. If you keep treating development teams like an afterthought, you'll find less participation, less care, and even worse, they will be rooting for your failure. 

Your development team deserves a seat at your solutioning table. Bring them in early, listen and act on their feedback, and help everyone understand the true objective of what you're trying to achieve for your client. Read more to find out why this is a great idea to foster trust between PS and Development teams.