Friday, February 07, 2003

Meeting Topic:

Q. How Does One Develop World-Class Software?
A. It's the People; It's Always the People!

Presenter: Philip H. Henderson, MBA

Abstract

Software development only occurs by and for the use of humans. The human side of software development is everything. In this presentation we will examine how a mild-mannered, but enterprising software developer can become a powerful leader of people in the high-tech field of software development.

This will be an interactive session to help you learn how to "lead" rather than "manage" your fellow software designers. You can be an excellent manager without having leadership ability. However, by combining leadership with management you get outstanding results with far less pain. Managers frequently complain that their work would be so much easier if they could only get the people to do what they are supposed to do. In this interactive session you will learn theory and practical tools that you can implement when you get back to your office.

Included in this session:

Empathic Listening, the single most powerful and most neglected communication tool, but one you can quickly master. When you listen with empathy you transform yourself into a most important person.

JOHARI Window, a tool for seeing how you behave under different circumstances which also allows you to change how others perceive you.

Ethics Inventory, a way for you to examine your ethics quotient and choose for yourself how you might change to become a more effective ethical leader in your work.

The purpose of this session is to help software designers develop leadership skills they can put into practice at once. These leadership skills will enhance a software designer's ability to communicate clearly in a high-pressure environment. The fact of the matter is that you manage THINGS and you lead PEOPLE. If you don't do a good job leading the people, your ability to manage the things diminishes increasingly. Keeping your focus solely on the things of work will limit your creativity and success. The work of software designers will always improve when they enhance their human relationships building skills. This session will give you tools you can use to define yourself as a leader in the eyes of those assigned to you as their manager.

Meeting Coordinator: Mark Smith, msmith@uces.csulb.edu

Your Presenter: Philip H. Henderson, MBA, has enjoyed a 30-year career working for both profit and not-for-profit enterprises. In 2000 Henderson began a consulting, teaching, and writing career as a sole proprietor. He is preparing a manuscript for "Living with INTEGRITY" a 250-page trade book to prepare successful managers to become outstanding ethical leaders. Highlights of his career include: 14 years as a law office manager including 8 years as treasurer of a non-profit public interest law firm; 4 years lobbying the California legislature and conducting research on public school finance (Serrano vs. Priest); and 8 years as Assistant Dean, UC Irvine Extension. Mr. Henderson is an amateur magician, enjoys cooking, reading, aerobics, and creativity. He resides in Irvine with his bride and three adult cats.

If you wish to receive email flyers of future meetings please send a blank email, with a subject line of "subscribe" to: spin@uces.csulb.edu

MANY THANKS TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR SPIN CO-SPONSORS:
NORTHROP GRUMMAN, RAYTHEON, TRW