One of the things I try to do in my classes is help my clients develop certain “patterns of thought.” When faced with various professional and personal challenges, I want them to automatically think of the relevant trade-offs, the best practices, and the words of wisdom that may guide them to success.
One aspect of this is that we tend to spend more time on “why” questions and less time on “how” questions. Naturally, we do some of both – but I believe that a major part of teaching professionals is to develop their insights and self-confidence. When the time for leadership arises, I want to help prepare them to step up and say “here is what we’re going to do and here is why.”
Don Appleby has served since 2004 as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he teaches in the Information Engineering and Management Program. He has over three decades of professional experience in the information technology industry. Prof. Appleby is retired from IBM.
