tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post8849706931661252274..comments2009-11-23T18:22:18.495-05:00Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149191486108175617noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-889641488904152632009-11-04T15:41:41.518-05:002009-11-04T15:41:41.518-05:00I have tried to do this somewhat unconsciously my whole career. I totally depend on having excellent teammates, people who are really passionate about quality and doing things the best way possible.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230090963033880060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-71752201240209369342009-10-23T09:59:25.811-04:002009-10-23T09:59:25.811-04:00Awesome post, Dawn. I have modelled this learning technique, which is not for the faint of heart. I have one thing to add (without having read the chapters on the topic in either book yet), and it comes from my introspective practice: <br /><br />Applaud your own courage for daring to be the worst, especially in the face of the vicious internal voice of comparison and self judgment. Give yourself credit for taking the harder path at the fork in the woods.patrickwilsonwelshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03810186815543597592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-43989258868734652922009-10-09T15:15:04.366-04:002009-10-09T15:15:04.366-04:00Matt-<br /><br />Did you have any such possibilities in mind?<br /><br />I started out thinking that the only time I don&#39;t want to be the worst is when I don&#39;t want to learn, and that, for me, is just about never.<br /><br />The only direction I can think of that points to situations where I might not want to be the worst are when I am brought onto a team as something like a (temporary) coach, for example. <br /><br />If, for example, I was brought in as a consultant on a team for a 1-month engagement, to help set up a test infrastructure, I would expect that I would not be the worst there, and if i was, I might be in trouble.<br /><br />I suppose when I think about it, *be the worst* applies when my goal is to learn skills myself, and not as much when my goal is to be a teacher to others.<br /><br />This distinction helps me to distinguish between this post and my previous &quot;work for a successful company&quot; one ... the 2 were feeling a bit like they conflicted.<br /><br />Thank you for the thought-provoking question. Please let me know if you had anything specific in mind :)Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149191486108175617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-91373604125641524212009-10-09T13:09:31.988-04:002009-10-09T13:09:31.988-04:00What a great attitude, I think I might take a leaf out of your book.<br /><br />I really enjoyed this post, Its the first time I&#39;ve been to your site. I look forward to learning some more from you.<br /><br />Anne-Marie<br />Maverick Tester<br />http://mavericketester.comanne-mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05251671179559459913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-41994629160111984392009-10-09T09:53:21.243-04:002009-10-09T09:53:21.243-04:00Great post, Dawn.<br /><br />Question: Can you name a few situations were it might /not/ be a good idea to be the worst?Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05956714498778698672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-32906094545613063102009-10-09T09:48:21.211-04:002009-10-09T09:48:21.211-04:00Oh! You so stole my post *laughs* This is actually a chapter in The Passionate Programmer and I couldn&#39;t agree more.<br /><br />In the Passionate Programmer, Chad Fowler says when we work with people we wind up - almost subconsciously - adopting their ways. And so it actually goes both directions, but if we can regularly work with those that are better than us we will become better.<br /><br />I love this idea! Thanks for the post :-)abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14805958673888992905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-11964361834186415442009-10-08T23:44:46.427-04:002009-10-08T23:44:46.427-04:00The Apprenticeship Patterns book is out, Chris - I&#39;ve got it in ebook form right now, the print copy is due later this month. So far I&#39;m loving it, even if I&#39;m not the target audience. (I&#39;ll be giving out copies frequently, that&#39;s for sure.)<br /><br />Be The Worst is one of the patterns included.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12298040969043446972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005334108330583722.post-22032466224888407232009-10-08T23:01:23.215-04:002009-10-08T23:01:23.215-04:00You might also like Dave Hoover and Ade Oshineye&#39;s Software Craftsmanship book (if it ever comes out). http://softwarecraftsmanship.oreilly.com/wikiChris McMahonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16339861008904941703noreply@blogger.com