In my earlier blog , I outlined that we are in a time of significant change in the Software Industry. The Software Reformation Change Change has been a buzz word over the past few years and used for example by many majority political parties. Aspirations for change can be good, with the caution that you do not end up (That seems like a separate blog). throwing the baby out with the bath water. Making it happen? The aspiration is one thing. Making it real is something else. With the cultural change being strived for in there is a lot of talk about flattening the hierarchy and giving everyone a voice. software development Everyone should feel and show a level of responsibility and show leadership in areas where they can. This is not easy to achieve. Many people naturally with look for leaders in a group. We need to be able to influence those people over time with day to day mentoring and coaching. For me real change comes from those around us and “down”. Yes I say “down” because you often hear the need to influence “up”. influencing Yet many in management still only look for those people who are masters at influencing “up” regardless of their ability to influence in the other direction, to the larger number of people who are the ones that can make it real. ONLY Look out for and support others in your team — seeing change there can be personally very rewarding. More rewarding that something “official”.