思想者

他带着唐吉诃德的骄傲，在星际的夜空，高唱大风歌。经过了半个世纪的沧桑，却才发现他的生命不过是父亲的，简单的翻版--

一个残缺不全的身体再加上一颗永无宁静的心。

一个声音默默地--“屈服吧，给尔自由！”这是心的呼唤，是他用生命和教养，抗拒了半个世纪的声音。

他流泪了，因为他知道了，在生命中有一个凭着热情，永远，永远--达不到的高度。在漫无边际的黑暗中，他卷曲的身体深陷于默默的沉思。

黎明给他的躯体镶嵌了一道金边。他默默地祈祷--

“给我智慧...”

The Thinker, at Musee National Rodin.
Photo: AP

8 Traits of Effective IT Leaders

To Lead, You Have to Follow: 8 Traits of Effective IT Leaders

By Hank Marquis

Reprinted Courtesy of itSM Solutions LLC

A study claims that 97% of IT workers say their job is stressful on a daily basis. Four out of five say they feel stressed before they even get to work. Some 25% report that they have taken time off from work to deal with the stress.

The top reason listed is "lack of support, increasing pressure, interruptions and bullying behavior" from their direct manager.

The report goes on to list other reasons, including: Workload, feeling undervalued, deadlines, type of work people have to do, having to take on other people's work, lack of job satisfaction, lack of control over the working day, having to work long hours, and frustration with the working environment.

It seems the reasons for this stress come directly from a lack of leadership from IT managers. Effective leaders build a trusted team and then follow the team's advice. Many IT managers lack this understanding, and this causes the stress.

How Zen that most of the IT job-related stress comes from a failure of those in IT management roles to understand that to lead, you have to follow. I have put together a list of 8 traits that show leaders how to follow their constituents - and succeed.

#1 Leadership means focusing on the needs of others, not yourself
Real leaders try to provide service - to their team, their customers, and anyone else met. Leadership is not a 9-to-5 job. By focusing on the needs of customers, and then trying to align his or her team in ways to meet those needs as well as the needs of the team, a leader gets the job done and develops followers. Customers want to work with a leader because a leader team produces results. Your team wants to follow your lead because you take into account its needs and requirements.

To improve your leadership skills consider spending as much time with your customers as you do with your team.

#2 Leadership comes from your actions, not your title
Some of the best leaders don't have CIO or VP titles. Leadership in fact has nothing to do with title or pay-grade. Leaders lead because others want to follow them. Why would anyone want to follow a leader? Because a leader motivates its followers, gives them purpose, supports them, guides and mentors them, and even "takes flak" to protect them.

To be a better leader you need to ask yourself some hard questions. If you are not leading then you are dictating, and no one follows a dictator.

#3 Leadership makes you accountable, even if it's not your fault
A leader take full responsibility for his or her mission and with this comes accountability for failure. Leaders don't blame their team, or complain about unreasonable customer requirements. Leaders set expectations by focusing on the needs of others (Trait #1) and build consensus for what can be accomplished. If something goes wrong, a leader accepts responsibility - even if it was a team member that was the cause.

Think about the last time someone on your team made a mistake. Did you support and counsel them? Did you turn the failure into a learning opportunity? Or did you ridicule, shun, or punish him or her?

#4 Leadership is not a 9-to-5 activity
Being a leader means focusing on the needs of others and helping others when they fail. This can require additional work, even after hours. Often it is only personal engagement that uncovers the root cause of an unhappy worker. And many times these root causes present opportunities for improvement beyond the single worker.

Do you stay and work with the team? Not just being in the office, but do you actively engage and work to deliver when required?

#5 Leadership takes trust from your followers
When you focus on the needs of others, motivate your team, and satisfy your customers, when you take responsibility for success and failure, when you engage with your team on a personal level, then you build trust. Trust does not come easily. You have to earn trust. It won't come because you have an impressive title. You can't buy, barter, or steal trust. You have to earn it. You have to follow the first four traits on a regular basis for enough time to have earned the trust of your customers and team.

Do your customers trust you? Does your team get behind your ideas because they know you will protect and guide them?

#6 Leaders get their best ideas from their team
The best ideas are not going to come from the leader, but rather from those being led. A good leader develops consensus for a project based on its relationships to customers, company, and staff. Exactly how the project should unfold is often best left to the team to determine. Nothing so engages and commits a team to a leader than for them to be part of the design of the solution. No one knows the job better than the person who does it every day.

Do you dictate schedules to your team or do you and your teams negotiate on how to get things done? Ask your team for their ideas - and then use them. Just remember trait #6 - always give the credit to the team. The leader's credit comes only by crediting the team he or she leads.

#7 Leadership thrives on diversity
I love the story about the IT group at a major retailer. The business needed to know the conversion ratio: that is, how many people entering a store purchased something. IT began brainstorming traditional IT solutions -- complicated, highly automated, and expensive. On a whim, an IT leader asked a non-IT person how they might determine how many shoppers who came into a store actually purchased something. The non-IT solution after just a few minutes of thought was to hire a couple of temporary workers and have them count the number of people entering the store and then leaving with a shopping bag.

Instead of the typical all-consuming and expensive 18-month IT project more likely to fail than succeed, they got a cost-effective low-tech solution in a few hours. The best ideas come from those who don't think as you do. Expand your circle of relationships; nurture those who think differently from you.

#8 Leadership comes from continuous communication
To be able to lead and embrace these traits requires communications skills. I'm not talking about superior comedic skills when presenting. I am talking about person-to-person verbal and non-verbal communications.

This is counter-intuitive, but to present your ideas requires that you listen. To understand and accept the ideas of others requires that you talk. These are skills many people never develop, but all true leaders seem to have mastered.

In a meeting, do you do most of the talking? When you are listening to others, are you an active listener, repeating what you have heard to make sure you understand what was said?

Summary
Leader is a title given to you by those whom you follow and serve. They see you as a leader when you pay attention to their needs. By listening to their needs and addressing their issues, you demonstrate leadership. You can lead a team of equals, you can lead a team of superiors, and you can lead a team of subordinates. Leadership is a way of acting and communicating.

Anyone can improve his or her leadership skills. Leadership comes from a desire to succeed and the realization that your success comes from what others do on your behalf of their own free will - because they trust you and want to follow you. To be a leader you have to understand this indirect linkage.

Sometimes it can be difficult to be a leader. You may know exactly what you want to get done and find it hard to accept the team's input about what it thinks can be done. If your team trusts you as its leader, it will take a leap of faith and follow you even if it has reservations. Of course, there are always "executive" decisions to make, but in general, if you have built trust you should follow your team's advice whenever possible.

It can also be difficult to work with customers, but very few people are truly unreasonable and unwilling to listen to facts - if presented in ways they can understand and evaluate.

If any of these suggestions rings true to you, then go take a course on leadership. Have your management style evaluated. Hire a consultant to understand the effect it has on your customers, company, and team. You will probably be surprised at what you learn.

About the Author
Hank Marquis is Chief Technology Officer at itSM Solutions LLC, a Global Knowledge Partner. Previously CTO at Opticom, a venture-funded producer of IT Service Management software, Hank is an ITSM entrepreneur, practitioner, and manager with over 25 years of practical hands-on experience gained at the US Government, MCI, US Sprint, Timeplex, Compuware, and other organizations. He was an early ITIL proponent, adopter, and frequent contributor to the ITIL community. He writes the popular weekly DITY™ (Do IT Yourself™) column, lectures on ITIL, and teaches IT executives how to implement ITIL. He has written dozens of articles; several books; and Cisco, CompTIA, ISEB, and EXIN certification programs. He holds the highest ITIL credential-ITIL Service Manager (Masters) certification, with distinction in Service Delivery.

Copyright itSM Solutions LLC

这些美好不会消逝

--by Charles Dickens                   
The pure,the bright,the beautiful,     
That stirred our hearts in youth,      
The impulses to wordless prayer,       
The dreams of love and truth;          
The longing after something's lost,    
The spirit's yearning cry;             
The striving after better hopes--      
These things can never die.            

The timid hand stretched forth to aid  
A brother in his need,                 
A kindly word in grief's dark hour     
That proves a friend indeed;           
The plea for mercy softly breathed,    
When justice threatens nigh；           
The sorrow of a contrite heart--       
These things shall never die.          

Let nothing pass for every hand        
Must find some work to do ;            
Lose not a chance to waken love--      
Be firm,and just ,and true;            
So shall a light that cannot fade      
Beam on thee from on high.             
And angel voices say to thee---        
These things shall never die.          

革命礼赞

革命如诗，唤起我无限的豪情，革命如画，引起我无限的向往，那是理想的猎苑，那是美好的企盼。在这个世界上，只有一个人与革命媲美，那就是我梦中的情人--革命啊，有了你，我愿把我梦中的情人抛弃。革命啊，你是我梦中的情人。

革命啊，我的热血为你澎湃，我伸出我的双臂，我想拥抱你，我想占有你！在你的怀里，我挥洒着我难以自抑的欲望，在你的怀抱里，我实现着铭心刻骨的梦想。

每个人都想革命，你是每个人梦中的伊甸园，你是每个人梦中的吉祥地。你是每一个人梦中的情人，这可真的难为了你。然而，我却知道，你需要的诗人的浪漫，雄狮般的强壮，钢铁般的意志--这还远不够，还需要来自上苍的智慧。

你是神女，有人歌唱你，那是因为你的神杖，幻化出人类最美好的蓝图。你是妖魔，有人诅咒你，那是因为你的魅力让天下迷失了灵魂，跟随你的魔杖而不顾脚下的道路。然而，我却知道，“而世之奇伟、瑰怪、非常之观，常在于险远，而人之所罕至焉，故非有志者不能至也。”

自私、险隘和龌龊得不到你的青睐，暴力、歧视和仇恨是你的敌人！你听到最卑贱着的呻吟，却把最伟大者深深地踩到了粪土里！革命啊，我为你弹起吉他，放声歌唱！把持住，我的兄弟，把持住，我的姐妹呀，这个世界不是象那些政客说的那样非黑即白。不要问我是谁，我仰视着革命。

革命啊，我看到你的万丈光芒，你的光芒照出人世人的丑陋，险隘，龌龊，自私。世上堪称革命者，可还有一人？你的光芒照出了革命者的伟大--“尽吾志也，而不能至者，可以无悔矣，其孰能讥之乎？”伟哉，我的父辈！

兄弟姐妹啊，最高尚的心灵，是通向革命的道路。革命啊，在这个世界的每一角落，我看到你美丽的身影匆匆地闪过。我看到你奔走在中国，我看到你奔走在美国，我看到你奔走在山西黑窑事件中，我看到你奔走在烽火连天的伊拉克战场。革命啊，不管世人如何，我赞美你的英名。我们的生命中，不能没有你。革命啊，你是最美的女神。

--革命，改变命运。革，改变，取之《易经-革卦》--汤武革命，顺乎天而应乎人。命，命运。

以革命的名义

（一）

这是很久远的事了。那个时候少掌柜家里在城里经营着几处大买卖。老先生还在，在乡下有一大片瓦房，日子过得红红火火。老先生早年追随孙中山闹革命，是个名震八方的人物，是辛亥革命先驱。

老先生年轻时为革命军押运银元，大洋马的车队格外耀人眼目。要知道那可是兵荒马乱的战争年代啊，沿海地区响马土匪人贩子绑票的遍地都是，一路镖车下来，有无数不怀好意的眼睛盯着，巴不得出点差错。老先生凭着一身横练的武艺，经过几番生死，硬是在地方上打出了威望。

少掌柜一手好算盘更是闻名遐迩，年关节日，十里八乡的都来找少掌柜算账。少掌柜在酒桌边一坐，长袍袖一甩，说一声“算账。”左手端着茶水，右手藏在衣袖里，主人家的管家将账目一款一款地报上来，等管家把账报完，少掌柜这账也算完了。再报一遍，又算一遍，两次结果毫厘不差。这时候，主人的饭菜也上来了，大家海阔天空地聊上一阵，这一年的账就算围好了。哈哈一笑，作个揖，就此道别，还有下一家等着呢。

（二）

少掌柜这一招叫“袖里吞金”，全是那只右手的功夫。一只手就是一个算盘，五个指头的不同部位，就是算盘的珠子，运作起来，眼花缭乱，煞是好看。就凭着这一手，在十里八乡也是“吃香的、喝辣的”了，可这并不是少掌柜的正经事。少掌柜的正经事是奔走革命，宣传革命，联络革命。

老先生运筹帷幄，少掌柜八方奔走，竟然在当地拉起了一只革命队伍。老先生的夫人也是队伍中的一员，时刻不离老先生的左右，传闻她会使双枪，至于是不是象“双枪老太婆”一样百发百中就不得而知了。这家人是铁杆的革命党，在当地也算是个大户人家，从不仗势欺人，也深知“君子爱财，取之有道”。

那一年，押运银元时，在一个荒无人烟的河滩上同响马打了一仗，有人劝老先生“趁着兵荒马乱留下两麻袋银元。”老先生哈哈一笑：“我要钱干啥。等革命胜利了，大家都有好日子过了。”其实这老爷子是个明白人，革命凭着一身豪气，靠的是两手清风。脑袋哪天搬家还不知道呢。有钱没人了，钱又好干什么。再说那时的革命党，一身高贵之气，何等高风亮节，怎肯做出那些贪污腐败等下作之事。

辛亥革命成功了，清王朝下台了，老先生六十多岁了，实在不想再打仗了。老先生打了一辈子的仗，看到的都是中国人打中国人，心寒了。思乡心切，带着少掌柜解甲归田了。解甲归田的老爷子，戎马一生，深感国民素质的重要性，在当地办教育。

（三）


而世道并没有清静下来，国共两党打了起来。国民政府想借重老先生的威望，请其出山领导一支队伍，老先生婉言谢绝了，告诫说，这仗不能再打下去了。可国民政府文请不成要武请，老先生只得趁着夜黑风高之时，潜逃了。国民政府的人没找到人，就没收了老先生的家产，充作军饷。共产党也想请老先生出面，组建一支队伍，老先生也婉言谢绝了，告诫说，这仗不能再打下去了。后来，共产党找不到老先生，就以为老先生通敌了，一把火烧了老先生的房子。

在营口藏身的老先生，得知家里发生的一切，一股火就病倒了。同志们去看他，大家感叹不已。有一位说：“如果中山先生在就好了。”老先生紧锁着眉头，深吸了一口烟，没吱声。烟雾慢慢地散开，笼罩着老先生饱经沧桑的脸。

老先生把烟袋锅在鞋底上磕了磕，慢慢地说：“我们以革命的名义，曾许诺过天下，不计个人得失，为子孙造福。”

村北的那座坟墓

在我们村的北部是一座革命党坟。

奶奶在的时候提过，那年秋天，清兵和革命党打过一仗，革命党是清一色的大学生，嘴巴上的胡子还没有长全。“哪里打过仗呀，可惜了！”每每谈起，老人就摇着头，一声声叹息。

枪声响了一夜。打完仗，清理战场时，我们那里的许多老百姓都心痛，“造孽呀，二十出头的小伙子，西装革履的，象画上的人物一样。”在老百姓的词汇里，这就是极高的赞美了，没有人知道那些人是从哪里来，全都湮没在历史的尘埃里去了。那一仗打碎了许多善良人的心，革命也在许多人心里扎下了根。

当地的许多人捐了钱，捐了棺木。没有上油漆的棺木排成一条长龙，足足有二里长。

近百年过去了，一切似乎消声灭迹了，历史的埃尘盖住了多少鲜活的生命，多少激情澎湃，多少爱国热情，多少正义，多少善良。

革命却象熊熊燃烧的森林大火，在满腔的热情中烧遍了原野，也燃烧了自己。

那些年轻崇高的生命，那些受过良好教育的富家子弟，就是那样轻易地把青春和生命献给了他们热爱的祖国。凭吊那座孤寂的坟墓，在赞美先烈精神之崇高、为国献身之壮烈的同时，不免有几分惋惜，几声叹息。

这个世界上有两种人--白人和黑人，真正的黄种人却不多。信奉中庸之道，能够坚持真理，在通幽曲径中坚忍不拔的人，实在是不多。

“一万年太久，只争朝夕！”革命者在急不可待的激情中，运筹帷幄着一个新世界，而那些宵小之徒也在狼狈为奸中，榨取世界的精髓，历史在黑白中翻滚，重复着昨天，正义和邪恶在无休的征战，人类文明在盘旋着前进。

那座孤寂的坟墓，封住多少对未来的憧憬，对新时代的期盼，对子孙后代的祝福。伟哉，我的父辈！生命在燃烧中化为灰烬，只是为了那一刻的壮丽，为了理想。

邂逅

那年年假返回学校，大包小包地挤上火车时，已经满头大汗了。

我的座位周围挤满了人，大家围在一起不知在干什么，没有人理我。我有些恼火，就喊着“让开，让开！”向自己的座位挤去。有一部分人回到自己的座位上，火车的走廊里有一些松动。

我坐了下来，擦了一把汗，才注意到大家正围着看一打照片。照片上是典型的南洋建筑，雪白的躺椅和碧蓝的游泳池，旋转的楼梯和高高的绿色热带植物--这在八十年代就像神话里的传说。

“我可以看一下吗？”我望着对面一位和蔼的长者，照片显然是她的。

“看吧，这里还有一些。”老人很大方的递了过来一打照片。“这是我的一些老朋友，他们在南洋混得很好，你看看，这是我。”老人有些得意，照片上的老人众星捧月般地站在众人之间。

“我们三十年没见面了，真是没想到还能见一面，我知足了。”老人眼睛有些湿润。

"我们是蒋介石政府派往南洋演出的民族歌舞团成员，曾经受到缅甸、泰国政府热烈的欢迎。在我们完成演出任务之前，中华人民共和国成立了。周总理号召我们回国参加祖国建设，并亲自接见了我们。”

“我当时是团里最小的一位，也是最漂亮的一位。很多人都追求过我。这次聚会，他们一定要我穿列宁服。”老人用手拉了一下衣服的领子，深蓝的列宁服洗得有些发白，却依然笔挺。她的脸上放着光彩，柔情依依，可敬又可怜，真是象一位永远的小妹妹。

我望着老人，满脸的皱纹象市场里的核桃，而消瘦的身材却显露着超凡的气质，有一种超越年龄的美丽。

老人曾经因南洋这段经历，以叛徒特务的罪名，在监狱了呆了十年，曾经想过自杀。

“可就是不相信这辈子就这么过去了。”
“我一辈子没做过缺德事，就是年轻时有些傲气。”
“人间会有公道！”

老人一辈子没要结过婚。

那一年，我十六岁，老人大概有六十几岁了吧。

又三十年过去了，我还是不能忘记她，这算是一见钟情吧。

这段经历，让我感慨良久。曾对父亲说过，我很记挂着这位老人，父亲说，你应当给她要张照片。我当时想过，因心里那份非常的敬重，没好意思。

有一次，在饭桌上，说起了美国的社会保险，一位美国同事说，等我们这一代老了，社会保险很可能倒闭了，“可我愿意付社会保险养活现在的老人，没有他们的在二战中的牺牲，就没有今天的和平！”我听了，心里一动，想起了我们老一代的艰辛。

--没有国共两党的抗战，就没有今天的和平。
--没有解放战争，就没有今天的统一。
--一切为了和平。