If… Then… Else….

In “If…, Then…, Else…;”, the authors; Davids, Secor, Farnum, and Lewis offer a practical analysis of typical behaviors and personalities found in Information Technology systems organizations and applicable advice on how to minimize the potential damages these negative influences often assert.

One of the first things every Information Systems (IT) professional learns is that there is a huge difference between data and information. The authors combine to share over 100 years of IT experience and have endured numerous attempts to bridge the “IT Communication Barrier” through “off the shelf, generic teaching materials or let’s say unhelpful data.  These canned training aids far too often soar over the heads of IT professionals who neither relate to nor care for the “psycho-babble” the materials offer.  “If…, Then…, Else…;” offers instantly recognizable, thoroughly applicable, and immediately useful information organized in a format consistent with an IT professional’s paradigms – or what IT folks would call, information!.  This empowers the reader to recognize the negative patterns and communication cravats often associated with common day-to-day IT workplace interactions and transforms that situation from a setback to a constructive, contributing engagement.  Michael Davids says, “The intent is to provide a path to effective and efficient ways to adapt to these real-world use-cases and effectively interact with these common, stereotypical IT personalities.”

The book “If…, Then…, Else…;” focuses on common personalities and situations expressly within the IT world offering career-beneficial insight on navigating those often choppy waters. The authors provide a unique tapestry of character and scenario intersections certain to resonate with anyone involved with IT participants. As personalities and situations “hit home” with the reader the authors provide invaluable guidance on successful interaction in those specific conditions.

Furthermore, the authors collaboratively provide insight and guidance on the best way to identify and respond to the general temperaments and attitudes of IT professionals. This book is written by IT professionals for IT professionals about IT professionals, “If…, Then…, Else…;” proffers a tool to aid professionals in achieving a favorable interaction and the best possible outcome throughout daily IT operations and interactions; a key in attaining overall career success. Also, it identifies how  IT Professionals can focus on specific personalities that represent actual people in which they interact within real-world situations they find themselves in virtually every day. With that, you can extract truly applicable, and immediately useful insight into:

•    How to recognize when a challenging behavior appears

•    How to most effectively respond to the behavior transforming a deterrent into a contribution (or at least minimize the potential damage).

•    How to prepare for and clean up after an ensuing interaction with a person you know has the propensity to fall short of expectations and hopes.

  If you are an IT professional, work among IT professionals, or simply interact with IT professionals, you already know they are “unique”; why not attempt to learn to understand them?

I am a medical doctor by training that happens to have a knack for technology and innovation. I am constantly reading and learning how to help my team succeed. Without a doubt, this is one of the best books I have ever read in my effort to better understand the IT professionals entrusted to me. It creates not only an understanding but also a roadmap on how to help them grow and succeed in their career path. There are too many takeaways from this book and can only be tapped into if you get a copy.

THE BIG THREE – KEY POINTS:

Key point #1:   To gain the “comfort” in the realization that you are “not alone” and the behaviors that challenge you in your workplace are common among virtually every IT organization.

Key point #2:     To learn how to “catch yourself” from falling into the same old reaction patterns which allow these behaviors to escalate into detrimental directions; instead, channel the “gems” hidden within these unique personalities to glean the benefits they have to offer!

Key point #3:  By focusing on specific personalities that represent actual people in which you interact in real-world situations you find yourself in virtually every day, you can extract truly applicable, immediately useful insight into:

• How to recognize when a challenging behavior appears

• How to prepare for and clean up after an ensuing interaction with a person you know has the propensity to fall short of expectations and hopes.

One Last Thing:

  “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” –Ken Blanchard