Culture
Recognizing People Who Do the Right Thing
October 17, 2023
Recognizing People Who Do the Right Thing
We often underestimate the level of sacrifice a leader must make to do the right thing. We want to recognize people who are making those sacrifices.
Terraform Changes The World
November 9, 2018
Terraform Changes The World
Discover how Terraform, a tool for building, changing, and versioning infrastructure, is making a significant impact on in the 2018 US Elections.
What My Bike Accident Taught Me About DevOps
July 18, 2018
What My Bike Accident Taught Me About DevOps
Discover how a bike accident taught me valuable lessons about DevOps: the importance of safety, practice, vulnerability, and teamwork in IT.
How to Lower the Barrier to Entry
April 1, 2017
How to Lower the Barrier to Entry
Discover how to lower the barrier to entry into technology careers. Learn strategies to support and encourage individuals transitioning into tech and foster diverse, innovative teams.
Our Superbowl
February 2, 2017
Our Superbowl
Discover how NCR revolutionized their delivery process with Chef, enabling customers to grow their businesses beyond traditional boundaries. This is our Superbowl story.
ChefConf 2016: Lessons Learned
July 15, 2016
ChefConf 2016: Lessons Learned
Explore key takeaways from ChefConf 2016, including the role of security in DevOps, the future of the industry, and personal insights on career development in tech.
Finding Alignment
June 24, 2016
Finding Alignment
Explore the keys to finding alignment in business initiatives. Learn how respect and empathy can help bridge gaps and foster collaboration. Discover how different teams align with DevOps.
Disruption is Uncomfortable
June 10, 2016
Disruption is Uncomfortable
Explore how disruption can lead to discomfort in a DevOps environment, and learn how to navigate change effectively. Discover the importance of empathy and communication in managing disruptive changes.
Premature Optimization
June 3, 2016
Premature Optimization
Explore the pitfalls of premature optimization in organizational planning. Learn how focusing on immediate improvement opportunities can lead to transformative change.
MomOps
May 31, 2016
MomOps
Explore the journey of a mom diving into the world of software development. From learning Linux basics to tackling InSpec, this blog post shares the highs and lows of breaking stereotypes in the tech industry.
Devops Days Dallas
May 6, 2016
Devops Days Dallas
Join me at DevOps Days Dallas this September! Discover how creativity and technology merge in the IT world. Network, learn, and explore sponsorship opportunities.
The Power of Precedence
April 1, 2016
The Power of Precedence
Explore the power of precedence in driving change initiatives. Learn how to avoid the trap of the ‘Perfect State’ and instead use real-world examples to address concerns and increase profitability.
The Missing Compiler/Unit Test for Feelings
March 25, 2016
The Missing Compiler/Unit Test for Feelings
Explore the importance of understanding and influencing how others perceive you in a technical environment. Learn why there’s no compiler or unit test for feelings, and how to navigate this challenge.
The Technical Asshole Curse
March 18, 2016
The Technical Asshole Curse
Explore the ‘Technical Asshole Curse’ in the tech industry, where hard skills overshadow soft skills, leading to a toxic work environment. Learn how to avoid this trap and foster a healthier workspace.
Feelings > Compliance
March 12, 2016
Feelings > Compliance
Explore the importance of considering feelings over compliance in leadership. Discover how fostering respect and excitement can lead to more effective collaboration and success.
All or Nothing Changes
February 19, 2016
All or Nothing Changes
Discover how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help combat all-or-nothing thinking. Learn to balance work, diet, and change initiatives for a healthier mindset.
The Power of Culture in Cross-Discipline Change Initiatives
February 12, 2016
The Power of Culture in Cross-Discipline Change Initiatives
Explore the power of culture in driving cross-discipline change initiatives. Understand the roles of developers, SecOps, and Operations in a business and how to foster cooperation.
The Overdependent Organization
February 5, 2016
The Overdependent Organization
Explore the dangers of overdependence in organizations through a personal journey. Learn why successful projects shouldn’t rely on one person and the importance of a strong, self-sustaining foundation.
Proof of Concept
January 29, 2016
Proof of Concept
Explore the importance of including culture and security in a proof of concept. Learn how these factors can influence the successful implementation of new tools or changes within an organization.
Building Alliances
January 27, 2016
Building Alliances
Discover the importance of building alliances to effectively persuade people, especially in challenging situations. Learn from real-life experiences and expert advice on fostering a supportive team.
Technology < Partnership
January 22, 2016
Technology < Partnership
Explore why our organization chose Chef over other configuration management tools. It’s not just about the technology, but the partnership and cultural changes that lead to success.
Why Before What
January 20, 2016
Why Before What
Explore the importance of establishing a shared vision before implementing change in an agile transformation. Learn why understanding the ‘why’ is crucial before jumping to the ‘what’.
Don’t Start with Tools
January 15, 2016
Don’t Start with Tools
Explore why it’s crucial to start with identifying business problems before choosing the right tools. Learn from real-life experiences and shift your focus for effective problem-solving.
Putting Developers On Call
January 13, 2016
Putting Developers On Call
Explore the benefits and challenges of putting developers on call in a DevOps culture. Discover how this approach can foster responsibility, improve product design, and enhance collaboration between teams.
Who is with you?
January 1, 2016
Who is with you?
Discover the importance of team alignment in problem-solving. Learn why involving everyone in the solution process leads to better execution and success.
Funding
December 18, 2015
Funding
Discover why funding is the litmus test for the viability of an idea in business. Learn how to navigate the funding question and reveal the true priorities of your organization.
Whose Goals?
December 11, 2015
Whose Goals?
Explore the power of setting personal goals and the potential pitfalls of not doing so in this insightful blog post. Discover how not having clear goals can lead to inadvertently fulfilling others’ objectives.
Surrounded
December 4, 2015
Surrounded
Explore the journey from being a know-it-all to a leader in our latest blog post, Surrounded. Discover the importance of surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people for personal growth and organizational success.
The Inferior “Right” Way
November 20, 2015
The Inferior “Right” Way
Explore the pitfalls of blindly following the “right” solution in tech and organizational success. Learn how to align strategies with key stakeholders and find the truly effective tools for your business.
Alignment
November 13, 2015
Alignment
Discover the power of alignment in business strategy. Learn how to unite leadership, middle management, and ground-level employees for effective problem-solving and value creation. Transform your business today.
Three Essential Components to Compliance at Velocity in the Enterprise
November 6, 2015
Three Essential Components to Compliance at Velocity in the Enterprise
Discover the three essential components to achieving compliance at velocity in the enterprise: focusing on the workflow, making it real, and empowering security. Learn from a Chef initiative.
Discriminatory Wind
October 30, 2015
Discriminatory Wind
Explore the metaphor of discriminatory winds in the tech industry, highlighting the challenges faced by women and minorities. Learn how to support and respect their tenacity and courage.
My Advice For Chef in Large Corporations
September 23, 2015
My Advice For Chef in Large Corporations
Explore practical advice for people in large corporations on how to effectively use configuration management. Learn from real-life examples and implement simple strategies to transform your organization’s ability to react to change.
Intrinsic Motivators Leading to Chef
May 4, 2015
Intrinsic Motivators Leading to Chef
Explore how intrinsic motivators such as autonomy, mastery, and purpose can lead to successful implementation of Chef in an organization. Discover the power of these motivators over traditional bonuses.
The Phoenix Project Book Review
February 2, 2015
The Phoenix Project Book Review
Explore my insights on the transformative power of ‘The Phoenix Project’ in my latest book review. Discover how this book can change your perspective on devops and your career.
My Son’s Choice Between Negativity and Taking Action
January 30, 2015
My Son’s Choice Between Negativity and Taking Action
Explore how my son and I navigate the choice between negativity and taking action. Learn about our unique ability to see problems others don’t and how we use it to lead.
Ten Takeaways from the Last 10 Years at Radiant/NCR
July 11, 2014
Ten Takeaways from the Last 10 Years at Radiant/NCR
Reflecting on 10 years at Radiant/NCR: Value creation, embracing tools, prioritizing sales, and gratitude have been key. Always focus on delivering real solutions.
Achievable Contentment
May 28, 2014
Achievable Contentment
In a quest for career growth, many chase titles like ‘Software Architect’. Yet, true success isn’t about the next promotion but finding contentment.