Work - or something like it...

Us IT people (I'm a gulti - I *have* to be in the IT industry...it is a lemming like urge to follow all the other gultis who have been the trailblazers in the IT industry) always try to keep up with the latest in technology through our "network" (i.e. other IT people in other companies)...

We discuss about the latest developments in technology and help each other by giving advice - that's the intent anyways...what actually happens is this:

(names and email ids changed to protect the jobless at work)

From: Ass [mailto:Ass@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:05 PM
To: Ash; Vu@***.com
Subject: Need Inputs

Dudes,

I am going to attend training on leadership and here are the prerequisites

PLEASE NOTE: As a pre-program activity, each leader is expected to bring along an object which represents you and your leadership style. Think about it, and select something that truly represents your journey as a leader to the style you use now. For example, an object I might choose to bring would be a kaleidoscope because my leadership style emerges from creativity and inclusiveness. When you look inside a kaleidoscope you see many different dimensions and that is my style of leadership.
You will each have the opportunity to tell your story of how the object you bring relates to your leadership style.

No idea what I should get. Any ideas? (check the bullshit on the kaleidoscope!!)

A


From: Ash [mailto:Ash@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:18 PM
To: Ass; Vu@***.com
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

How about an old underwear - “I choose to bring this old underwear because my leadership style emerges from covering my ass and being comfortable and relaxed”

You first need to tell us what kind of leadership style you have...

.a.

p.s.: alternate object: binoculars (“my leadership style emerges from foresight and voyeurism”)...


From: Vu@***.com [mailto:Vu@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:27 PM
To: Ash; Ass@***.com
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

Bwahahahahaa... both suit.
Actually, binoculars, telescope etc are good idea.
How about a tube light - “It takes a while for me to get started, but once going I spread drive and ideas.”


From: Ass [mailto:Ass@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:24 PM
To: Ash; Vu@***.com
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

I don’t have binoculars...

On a more serious note, my leadership style is providing a long term vision along with short term goals and empowering people with the know-how to do their work effectively. (Basically enabling people/team to do their work in a more focused manner so that they are not running around asking what needs to be done)

Ideas anyone?

A

From: Ash [mailto:Ash@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:32 PM
To: Ass; Vu;
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

I’d recommend the binoculars – look through them the wrong way and you have long term vision (things appear far away when looked through the binoculars the wrong way) and look through the right way and you zoom in to one particular thing (aspect) and focus on it...or some such happy b.s.

What are you thinking of? Prism? Deck of cards with the jokers removed? Let us know what you’ve thought of so far and we’ll bounce ideas off each other and make this more interactive...heh...

.a.

From: Vu@***.com [mailto:Vu@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:40 PM
To: Ash; Ass@***.com
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

Yeah...absolutely. I think then the telescope would make perfect sense – you turn a nelson’s eye towards things and that helps the team win the war. ;)

But the underwear suits all managerial roles best. plus you can use it once in a while wipe the tubelight...

How bout a whip? Or a boot?

From: Ass [mailto:Ass@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:35 PM
To: Ash; Vu;
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

I'm going to take a picture of a Thin Bull ~ implies “less bull shit”


From: Vu@***.com [mailto:Vu@***.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:40 PM
To: Ass@***.com; Ash
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

Sheeesh! Thin bull implies no food but still bull shit.


From: Ass [mailto:Ass@***.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 2:59 PM
To: Vu@***.com Ash
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

Guys,

I am in a state of panic. Please help me with some “real” objects that depict empowerment, enabling etc..

A

From: Vu@***.com [mailto:Vu@***.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 4:02 PM
To: Ash@***.com; Ass
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

Talking of gas...how about a cylinder?

Actually the underwear is not a bad idea. You will certainly provide a welcome relief to the audience and for all you know you might end getting that big long sabbatical you always wanted.


From: Ash [mailto:Ash@***.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 4:34 PM
To: Vu@***.com Ass
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

Take a sheepdog to the presentation...sheepdogs are intelligent and are used to guard or herd sheep...in the same way you guard and herd your flock to success...

From: Ass [mailto:Ass@***.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 4:40 PM
To: Ash; Vu@***.com
Subject: RE: Need Inputs

* expletives directed at other participants deleted *

For the time being I have decided on taking
A Small F-16 Model (to imply “Leading From the Front”)
Some shit to describe empowerment and (ideas???)
Some more shit to describe participation and democracy (ideas???)