[1484] in APO News
Re: Changing the Service Program?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Debbie Deutsch)
Thu Sep 14 11:24:13 1995
To: Tigger <chashmlt@MIT.EDU>
Cc: apocrypha@MIT.EDU, apo@ai.mit.edu, ddeutsch@bbn.com
In-Reply-To: Your message of Thu, 14 Sep 95 10:05:06 -0400.
<9509141405.AA29070@m16-034-22.MIT.EDU>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 95 11:21:24 -0400
From: Debbie Deutsch <ddeutsch@bbn.com>
I think you have a very good idea here.
As a middle-manager in the Real World, I need to make sure that I have
a pipeline filled with people who can take on increasing levels of
responsibility. The process you describe (having big projects with
separable sub-pieces so people can get their feet wet before having to
swim alone in the leadership ocean) is exactly what works well for my
group and others like it.
One thing that I like to do (because it works) is that when someone is
in the lead position for the first time, make sure that all of his/her
lieutenants are very experienced. This reduces risk and when the new
leader is nervous I can reduce his/her worry by remind him/her that
with supporting players like those, very little can go wrong.
As a very-moldy-oldy, I remember with affection service projects like
the ones that you mention - R/O week, the playground building project,
handicap access survey for Cambridge - as useful, fun, and great
sources of new leaders.
Go for it!
YiLFS,
Debbie Deutsch
