► "How can I help?"

That question is the most common response you quickly come to expect from Bob. It reflects a characteristic which is pervasive, and drives much of what he is and does. Often quiet and listening thoughtfully, colleagues and friends often seek him out for help or just to listen.

Formally trained as a manager at IBM, Bob has spent much more time leading small technical teams. Capable of significant individual contribution, his desire to help and enable others seems to lead him back to the team lead role.

► "That's good enough."

No statement will rile Bob up more. He has a passion for things done well, especially software and the collateral which makes it whole.

He can step in and take charge, but prefers a more collegial style of leadership and relishes having been a member of some over-achieving teams. He'll easily take ownership of something that needs to be done.

► "Work smarter, not harder."

Bob's first thought when tackling something tedious or complex is automation. He approaches it incrementally, focusing first on simple tools and procedures which make the team more productive.

► "Ah. Now I get it."

He has a reputation for researching and practicing new things just for the sheer joy of sharing it with others. He quickly finds a niche and becomes a go-to-guy in each assignment. Visually-oriented, he has a flair for presenting concepts graphically.

► "Can't be done."

Bob is a born problem solver, whether debugging software, or figuring out how to help a team and technology work together. Want to get his attention? Try saying this.

► "But we've never done it that way!"

Bob may get a little irritated when he hears this. Novel approaches are apt to solicit a "Why not give it a shot?" He picks things up quickly, focusing on practical applications, and has a knack for finding new ways to use or combine things- software and data in particular. It's led to some unique solutions.