If I remember correctly Alexander, I read on your site here that one of your companies did hot have any managers? Do you elaborate on that anywhere and if not could you? It seems that a lot of the problems seem to come from low to middle management and as someone who is looking to start my own software company I don’t want this to happen in my organization. A no managers approach seems pretty appealing.

No one could stop me, as it was on my local machine, and as I explained the benefits, people quickly came around to the idea. After nine months, they are still talking about how much help this has been. I wasn’t able to affect much more change than that at the code level, but I am very happy and satisfied that I was able to do something.

If you’ve exhausted the changes you can make alone, you’ll need the support of others. Find an advocate to join you – preferably one with enough organizational “clout� to remove some obstacles.

If the environment is really focused on the “now� at the complete expense of the future, they’re going to have to see some positive results before you’ll get their attention.

I know it’s an overused expression – but look for “low hanging fruit�. What are the relatively easy things (low or isolated implementation impact – e.g., things you or you and a buddy can do yourselves) that could have a noticeable positive impact on the business? That’s where you start (even if it’s not at the top of list for things YOU want to do first!). You need to gain credibility for your approach. Results speak louder than aspirations.

If things won’t move or aren’t moving fast enough for you, there comes a time when you have to decide whether your needs are compatible with your organization’s culture. Sometimes it is valid to move on. That being said, be careful in deciding where you go.

Just like some people seem to be attracted to individuals that “are no good for them� – we can also continually be attracted to cultures in which we do not fit.