Legends of Two Towers

Transcript from presentation by @Helliosch & @lukasztyrala:

We are in Kraków and here we have a quite recognizable piece of architecture that was actually a product of bad team work – at least that is the legend. A legend of St. Mary’s Basilica.

The story goes like this: two brothers were hired (Bolesław V the Chaste, 13th century) to build the St. Mary’s Basilica. Both were extraordinary architects and developers (as we’d call them today). The north tower (that’s the one closer to the Floriańska street) was designated to be build by the older brother. South – by older.

They started at the same time and at the beginning they have been working in the same pace. Soon the north tower started to overlook the tower build by younger brother. As youngsters have in blood, this pissed him off. Without hesitation he killed his older brother and finished the north tower as if it was his creation. The south was not continued and only covered with a roof.

But! Guilty conscience bothered him and when the time has come to devote the basilica, he stood on top of the tower with the very knife that was a murder weapon in his hand. He confused, stabbed himself in the heart and jumped. Citizens took the knife and hanged it in Sukiennice passage. This knife hangs there until these days. When you will be rushing for train or looking for yet another pub in the basement around Main Square go see the knife and remember that it is not good to kill your brother even if win. (And it is not good to stab anyone. Especially over misplaced buttons, commas or pixels.)

(The second legend says that after the murder the mystic forces finished the North tower and younger brother fell off the tower when he saw that paranormal activity. Which sound like total bullshit and there is no object hanging in the Sukiennice, so do not trust the version.)

Those legends are an example of bad team work. Today we want to give you not the example of good work, but the ideas how to avoid stabbing and how to actually push things forward (perfectly having a user experience in mind). We are here talking about making things happen between the silos, departments, floors and soldiers of different Cs, but also a few tips for freelancer working with clients.

We have 30 minutes, but we need only one. Because all it takes is to lift your 4 Polish letter off the chair and go talking and working with others. Even if it means taking you access card with you, so you do not get stuck at an unknown floor or visiting clients office that does not serve fancy latte.

Thank you. We may go.

Well, but there is this but. Who to go to? When to go to whom? What to take with you? What to say? To how many people to go? Let's answer some of those.

Slide 6. Never say we and you. It's all about us.

Slide 7. Seek approval early in the morning so people have no burden of decisions upon them. And never when they are in a bad mood. Unless you can show great arguments and make them focus.

Slide 8. One thing at a time. Small steps.

Slide 9. Never ever take all the credit yourself for things that went well.

Slide 10. Approach with actionable stuff, that shows the idea that you have.

Slide 11. Do not be afraid of talking to wrong people, they will guide you to more appropriate audiences.

Slide 12. Never aim for disruption, innovation or a new world order. If a corporate is ready for that you are already in Innovation/Design Thinking Department and you are bored with this talk.

Slide 13. Remember that people hate changes and are afraid to lose their job. Do not raise their awareness.

Slide 14. If people are uncertain, they will defend their point of view. To convince others to your idea, involve them, so they can contribute (even if it's a small contribution). Because you know, beliefs cannot be changed with logic and facts only. Vide God. Also when uncertain, people make others to choose.

Slide 15. People create bonds by doing things together. Doing, not spending time only. Arrange a workshop, do a sticky notes sorting session. Do something together. Make it a funny session, so you can laugh and you will be BFF. But remember, “one can fake being serious, but cannot fake being funny”.

Slide 16. Stories. Tell stories. But not lies. And anecdotes are better than facts – but you need one to base your anecdote on something.

Slide 17. You will never be a team of one in corporate. Because a Dunbar number is 150 (with how many people we can have close relationships).

Slide 18. Never think as a group. Give people time to think on their own. Give time for discussion during the meetings. Do meet! When two minds collide, they synchronize and things start to snap in.

Slide 19. Identify who is your angel, your devil and and old respected fellow.

Slide 20. And remember. Step by step. Atomize the responsibility.

Beware of politics.

Key takeouts for today:
* Everything is done by teams, be a team player, be the team advocate. Leaders of the teams do not have to be the project managers or managers. Team spirit is about engagement not direction.
* Do not try to change the world instantly or turn everything upside down. Think about small steps.
* Demonstrate, prototype, test instead of talking. Ideas are cheap execution is curtail.
* Stop scrolling Newsfeed and go! Do! Try!!!

Thank you!