I was lamenting the confusing interface to a piece of software the other day, when a colleague said it sounded a bit like 'grousing' because I wasn't able to suggest any improvements. I capitulated, admitting I wasn't close enough to the problem to offer any useful feedback at the time.

Later, though, I was thinking about the exchange, and began to put it in perspective, especially regarding a recent post about the truth being filtered as it made its way up the company hierarchy. ⇒ Read more

Why does it seem that information gets a fresh coat of varnish as it passes up through the company ranks?

I know I've seen this happen too many times to count. The front-line grunts know that things are bad, that there's no way that the project will be done according to the current schedule (or worse). The conscientious and courageous ones let their managers know, in frank, honest terms, that there are major problems. ⇒ Read more