Digital Trailblazer

Chapter 1Transitioning to Leadership: What's a Cookie?

“Fuck.”

That's exactly how I feel today. I am the first one in the office, and getting in early before the crack of dawn is not something I do very often. The last software build failed, and I have to get it working before everyone gets here. Especially before Jessie gets in. Because once Jessie sees the problem du jour, well then, my day is freaking over.

I make a small change and start another software build. It's dark outside. Way too early to be here. I can't believe I started working on this problem before my first cup. But now, I have ten minutes to wait for this build to compile the code into runnable software. Plenty of time to fill the carafe and get a coffee drip going. Enough time to consider what music I will select to keep me inspired and moving. Maybe today it will be the new System of a Down CD because, well, I'm just in that head‐banging mood. If I was more at peace, I might put on Pavarotti. Anything to help my concentration.

I think about how the rest of this difficult day will go. There's the 10 a.m. management meeting that I loathe attending, and I ponder how to best prepare for it. What should I report to the other leaders? Should I start with the root cause of the last issue—like I really have a freaking clue what it is—or should I focus on the status of this crazy important, better‐hit‐the‐deadline, our‐business‐depends‐on‐it project that we're all working on?

What will the managers ask me this time? ...