Leading Off

Ok, this is not about actual software development. It was only a matter of time before I started delving into non-software topics. But this is my writing outlet, and it's a reflection of my life. If I need to at some point, I'll change it to "Thoughts on Software...and Life...and Other Stuff."

Tomorrow for my public speaking class (I'm an MBA student at the University of Albany in NY), my group is giving a presentation on salary caps in Major League Baseball. We are the first group to go that day. I, personally, am the first speaker in our group handling the introduction. I was very happy, when by luck of the draw, our group was chosen to go first. I also specifically wanted to present first.

Why? I think it's because I like to set the tone. I like to take the initiative and shape whatever event/experience is occurring. One of the things I've become much better at is doing this while giving slack elsewhere - which is quite conducive to a successfully functioning groups. My inclination in the past was not only to set the tone, but control the tone. I have thankfully since learned the art of working with and guiding a group, while at the same time knowing when to lay off the reins and let others guide. This art and this approach seems to be the best way to get the most out of the groups I work with.

I've learned, actually, that there is a real beauty and peace in NOT controlling (well, attempting to control) a group, its work, and its direction. Looking back on groups where I did this, my experiences were stressful and negative. It left me with a distaste for groupwork, and the desire to work alone. HA!! Maybe that's how I became a programmer.

Anyway, I do not believe I'll be directly involved in programming much longer. Leadership, management, coordination, and communcation have always been strong points of mine (or some at least points with massive undeveloped potential), and I'm finally at a point in my life where I have the foundation to move in that direction.

To get to this point, I had to shed my desire to work alone - which is basically what a lot of programmers want. I've gotten to a point where I realize that my potential in the leadership and management areas FAR exceeds my potential as a technical professional. One of the major signs of this realization was how much I enjoyed working in, guiding, and coordinating projects of all kinds (both as a software developer and an MBA student). I saw that if my job energized me, and made me feel good, I'll be able to contribute magnitudes more in that position than doing something else. So, I now seek this kind of position.

And if I get it - Thoughts On Software may have to change. Thoughts On Leadership?