One of the saddest things
in management is the gold star looming on the project plan that says,
“Breakthrough required HERE!”
Next time you are faced
with a thorny problem, consider using the Life Boat Rule.
The Life Boat Rule is You
have to make it with your current crew, no substitutions.
When I remember the Life
Boat Rule, I save a lot of time, not mooning for some random
waterwalker.
Our solution is based on
existing skills and our best technologies. We know what we’ve got,
and spend less time reading directions and hacking our way out of
failed prototypes.
When I am recruiting,
remembering the Life Boat Rule has SOMETIMES stopped a dumb
selection.
After my crew understands
the Life Boat Rule, people are faster to step up for what is
required. As my good friend John
Wayne used to say between movies, “A man’s gotta do what a
man’s gotta do.”
Of course when we’re all
fully committed to using our existing talent and resources and nicely
making way, we look a lot better to some random water walker if one
happens by.
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