Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Department Characteristics

This IT Department will be characterized by the following five character traits:

1. Humility
We don’t have all the answers. Sometimes the answers are found in the user community. Sometimes the answers are found in the vendor community. Sometimes the answers are found with our staff at the ground level. As such, we will not confuse confidence with arrogance. We will also recognize that all IT employees are part of a single team. No one person is more important than another. Rather, each of us has an equally important role to play as part of that team.

2. Accountability
We will not have a “victim mentality.” We have the ability to influence the tasks that we work on and the results of our efforts. We will not “point fingers” or try to identify blame. Accolades will be given to those who succeed. Blame will be assumed by those “in charge” (even if their staff made the mistake). In short, we will assume responsibility for our efforts.

3. Integrity
We will never mislead, exaggerate, or lie. We will strive to be credible in all our comments. We will under promise and over deliver. Commitments will always be met (or an immediate explanation and apology will be given as to why it was not met). We will recognize that trust can be lost by one event. We will also recognize that credibility is earned, not demanded.

4. Stewardship
We will strive to establish a culture of “cost saving.” We will make every decision as if the funds were our own. We will remember that we are a steward of the assets given to us by the Company.

5. Excellence
We will never accept mediocrity. We will strive to not define “success” for ourselves. Rather, we will allow the user community to determine when we are “successful.” We will build a culture that takes pride in its work.