Collective Wisdom from the Experts 189
Be careful, if you’re new at sharing information. As the conduit of information
for your team, you’ll also be shaping the team’s morale. When you decide to
gripe about another group or manager, or a member of your team, your nega-
tive attitude can spread through your team as quickly as the flu. And, like a
viral infection, it can slow your team’s verve for days.
A great way to share project information is to hold a daily meeting. Teams with
10 people or so can meet effectively in as little as 10–20 minutes. Each person
has a one- to two-minute opportunity to bring the team up-to-date on his own
progress and ask for help, if he needs it. These quick “standups” are the perfect
place for the software project manager to share project updates.
When you opt for a weekly (or monthly) meeting, you may forget impor-
tant information; after all, it’s old news to you by the time the group finally
assembles. Or a problem that could have been prevented blows up because you
delayed sharing risk indicators. Perhaps the team will glaze over after you’ve
shared 17 bits of “vital” information all stuffed into one, bloated team talk.
Remember, your team, and everyone at your company, wants to succeed. Share
your vision and ask others to share theirs. You’ll find most of those idiots you
thought were out to close the company are actually people who will work side-
by-side with you to solve mutually understood team challenges.