http://www.wmhartnett.com/2008/03/28/a-brief-backyard-post-follow-up-the-importance-of-letting-go-and-learning-to-trust-the-workers-bees/ Journalism, the future of newspapers, and cat pictures. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:26:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://www.wmhartnett.com/2008/03/28/a-brief-backyard-post-follow-up-the-importance-of-letting-go-and-learning-to-trust-the-workers-bees/#comment-2231 William M. Hartnett Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:44:38 +0000 http://www.wmhartnett.com/2008/03/28/a-brief-backyard-post-follow-up-the-importance-of-letting-go-and-learning-to-trust-the-workers-bees/#comment-2231 You're right about that, and the same obviously goes for you, too. And I will say that, both when I was still writing stories and even at the very earliest stages of Backyard Post, I would occasionally not be <em>completely</em> honest about what I was working on for fear of being shut down before I really got going. I've been known to actually hide, physically and virtually, for weeks on end if I felt something about which I was passionate was vulnerable to a "no." I wouldn't necessarily advise that sort of behavior as a wise career path, but I don't see how we're going to make it without a little dice-rolling. You’re right about that, and the same obviously goes for you, too. And I will say that, both when I was still writing stories and even at the very earliest stages of Backyard Post, I would occasionally not be completely honest about what I was working on for fear of being shut down before I really got going. I’ve been known to actually hide, physically and virtually, for weeks on end if I felt something about which I was passionate was vulnerable to a “no.” I wouldn’t necessarily advise that sort of behavior as a wise career path, but I don’t see how we’re going to make it without a little dice-rolling.

]]> http://www.wmhartnett.com/2008/03/28/a-brief-backyard-post-follow-up-the-importance-of-letting-go-and-learning-to-trust-the-workers-bees/#comment-2230 Matt Waite Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:40:13 +0000 http://www.wmhartnett.com/2008/03/28/a-brief-backyard-post-follow-up-the-importance-of-letting-go-and-learning-to-trust-the-workers-bees/#comment-2230 All true, but it's also half of the equation. It does take management willing to take a chance. But it also takes someone willing to throw out all that is comfortable and leave behind a clear, long established career path and make a go at something that may or may not work. In an environment of constant change, these are the people who will thrive -- risk takers. The people who say no, I'd rather keep doing everything the same way I've always done it will be run over like rodents in the roadway. So don't diminish your own part is this -- you had to be willing to take the gamble that your bosses let you take. All true, but it’s also half of the equation. It does take management willing to take a chance. But it also takes someone willing to throw out all that is comfortable and leave behind a clear, long established career path and make a go at something that may or may not work. In an environment of constant change, these are the people who will thrive — risk takers. The people who say no, I’d rather keep doing everything the same way I’ve always done it will be run over like rodents in the roadway. So don’t diminish your own part is this — you had to be willing to take the gamble that your bosses let you take.

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