At my current job, we have an Information Technology (IT) person who is tasked with setting up computers when we need an updated computer, or when a new hire starts to work. He is also charged with tearing down computers of people who leave the company.
Our IT person does a good job until somebody interacts with him and messes up his list. You see, his manager puts together a daily list for this IT guy and the IT guy takes the list, starts at the top and works his way down the list. 1. Setup computer system for Bill in Accounting. 2. Remove computer from Sally in Sales who left the company, etc.
Recently we had a programmer leave, who spent some time with us going over what he had been working on, what he had checked in, and what he had not. We realized that we needed to keep his computers until we were able to get all the information we needed off of them.
A few days later, our faithful IT guru came by and started to remove these computers. Concerned, we let him know that he could not take these computers until we were done with them. He grumbled, called us some non-repeatable names and left. I called up my Director and got his approval to keep the machines as is until we were done.
In the ensuing weeks, our IT guru came by and attempted to take these computers. Each and every time we told him that our Director had said we could keep the machines as long as we needed them. And since we were very busy, that was going to be a very long time. Our IT guy grumbled and disappeared.
Just last week our legendary IT guy came by and started to disassemble the computers yet again. (I am sure that not being able to check this item off of his list had been tormenting him for ages.) We reminded him to keep his hands off of those machines or we would call up the Director. However, this time my co-worker asked if maybe we should get the information off of the computers and allow the IT guy to come and take them away. We did that and let the IT guy know we would be done with them that evening. The next morning when we came into work, those two computers and three monitors were gone! Needless to say, it didn't surprise me!
So, were my co-worker and I nice to let the IT guy take the computers? Of course. Was the IT guy in line to not want us to keep the computers? Of course not! It would not have hurt anyone to let us keep and use those two computers, especially since they will sit in a closet until a new hire comes on board.
OK, let's compare this with the IT guy at the first company I worked for out of college. He liked to come around and chat with us on a regular basis. He basically would do anything for us that we needed. We had a similar situation where a programmer left the company. We asked our IT guy if we could keep the programmer's computers. He said sure. We setup a location where we could use the computers until we were absolutely sure that the information we needed was on our computers. When were done, we contacted the IT guy and let him know he could come and get the computers back. He responded by asking us if we were sure we were done with them and wouldn't want to keep them a little bit longer. When we told our IT guy that we were definitely done, he came and took them away.
To wrap things up for today, obliviously, if an employee of a company has their blinders on so tight that what they are doing is hurting the company, they better remove their blinders and see the bigger picture. Lists can be good. They can make sure that you get the items done that you need to get done. However, don't run you complete corporate life with a list, never wavering. Be cooperative. Make friends with your fellow employees. You will find yourself enjoying your job and those people you work with.
Til Next Time,
Bill
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