Hi Everyone,
I hope you’re doing ok.
Week 50. That sounds like something worth celebrating right? Nope. 52 weeknotes is the goal. Writing a weeknote during week 50 just means my forecast was accurate and the work is sustainable. So I’ll celebrate that instead. Wahoo. That’s it, let’s crack on.
I took the picture in Lancaster in the summer while we were on a roadtrip to Scotland for a holiday. I look at this photo in many ways. Where does the canal lead to? We followed it in the other direction, eventually ending up at the coast but now I want to know what’s in the other direction. Sure I could use a map on my phone, but it’d be more exciting just to follow it. Just thinking about it makes my mind wander. Letting my mind wander has been good for my mental health. I talk a lot about mindfulness and focus these days but just staring out of the window or at a picture and daydreaming is also very good for me. In the picture, I love how the clouds are reflected in the water which makes me consider how I reflect on things. Whether I’ve got something wrong or been succesful I like to frame it positively when I reflect on it. I learn by doing and so whether I succeed or fail there’s always a positive, I learn something. The picture is bright. Despite the clouds it was really sunny. This makes me think about energy. Unlike the sun, I don’t have seemingly limitless energy. I have to plan my day so I’m bright at the right points. That’s essential for how I lead teams. Getting to bed on time to recharge. Going to the gym to recharge, or walking, or biking. Reading, relaxing, a 10 min break when things are hectic at work, and of course lunch breaks. Whatever I need to do I’ll do it so that I can put energy into the things I do with my team. A true leader who serves looks after themselves so they’re fit to look after their team. Don’t be a hero, take a break. (interesting… the word hero has the word “her” and “he” in it.).
I caught up with our new Head of User Centred Design to look at how their team aligns with our Squads and also to help them review their teams training plan for the remainder of the year.
I had catchups with several agile delivery managers mostly just to see how they’re doing and what plans they have for Christmas. I also had checkins with the senior agile delivery managers where we worked on their personal development plans. They’ve got some great stuff around leadership that they’re working on which is my favourite topic.
We had an urgent work package come through at the start of the week that we needed to coordinate across all our teams to get it done. We’re nearing the end of it now and it’s been fantastic. The whole delivery chain has been united in a single common goal and coordination and collaboration has been incredible. Many people have said to me how much they’ve enjoyed it. I want to consider how we can replicate this in our regular work.
I was too busy to go to our Bitesize Learning session about Avoiding Burnout and Managing Stress. I’m aware of the irony of this but it sounds like a brilliant session and it was recorded so I’ll definitely be watching it soon.
I attended our Delivery Board meeting which is causing me to learn so much more about our portfolio of projects. I surprised myself by actually enjoying reading a project closure report. It was excellently written I have to say.
I caught up with our Head of Data Strategy to plan some work around embedding our Data, Analytics and Research team into our squads in the new year.
I hit the Gym a few times this week. But I must admit that I’m probably going to hold off going again until I’ve had my booster (end of the month). I’ve generally just got on with life carefully but fairly normally, but all the news about the infection rates with Xmas inbound is making me feel a little more cautious pre-booster.
Hopefully, I’ll be wrapping up work today and then wrapping up a few presents before I unwrap a few presents a week tomorrow. Humans are a funny lot.
Just in case you’re wondering. I will be mountain biking this afternoon.
Be excellent to yourselves and each other,
Si
