My team released a half million dollar project live last
night. The project was incredibly
difficult, and took months longer that what it would have appeared to take on
paper. It was fraught with
"gotcha" moments, surprises, and way more complexity than expected. And all the while, many in our company were tapping
their feet, wondering where the finished project was, or when resources would
finally get free up for their own projects.
Despite the pressure, complexity, and the setbacks, the team
threw themselves into the project; working multiple 24 days, working through too many weekends to count, cancelling vacations, waking up in the
middle of the night, and living on Red Bull and Starbucks.
Intense stuff.
Stressful stuff. The kind of
stuff that makes people quit their jobs.
But not this team.
Through it all, through every surprise and disappointment, they kept
positive. They kept a grounded
perspective. They kept a sense of humor,
even in the worst of times. And all the
while, nary a complaint. Not one
peep. They were remarkable.
The word "hero" gets thrown around way too often
these days. But for those that inspire
us by showing exceptional fortitude in the face of adversity, I think the word
applies. And there were multiple heroes
on this project.
The best part of being a leader is that sometimes you get a
front row seat to some incredibly talented people doing extraordinary things.
Indeed, the best part about my job is that I
sometimes get to be awed.
Like now.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please feel free to include any thoughts you may have. Know, however, that kiddos might be reading this, so please keep the adult language to yourself. I know, for me to ask that language is clean is a stretch...