I just finished editing a podcast (Episode 10 for release Monday February 6th) where I got to sit down with Gene Kim, the guy who wrote the Visible Ops book - a staple of every good IT manger's bookshelf. I can't help but write a little bit about one of the topics which just resonated with me based on some of my job history. The idea of "blending in with the furniture" is one that I know many IT managers follow in organizations and situations where they feel they simply cannot succeed. Let's break this down because I know many of you are feeling this pain.