When I worked for Oracle Consulting, I required my team to complete an on-site client report, which we called our engagement summary, and distribute it to the entire group. While traveling, we commonly read each other's engagement summaries. This dramatically improved the technical competence of our group. It also created a deep sense of community and camaraderie. When the group is geographically dispersed, as was the case with my team, this is especially valuable to the members.

Oracle performance firefighting is a unique time in your life. Most people never get a chance to experience the highs and lows of firefighting. How many times in your career will you be able to celebrate a dramatic and company-critical performance firefighting success? Probably not that many. So when you have survived a firefight, take some time out and celebrate.

When the ancient Greeks went to war, their campaigns were brief. The armies operated in the summer, because they needed to be home again in time for the harvest and gathering of grapes and olives. One battle always settled the business.4 A war was specifically designed to be of limited scope and be done with quickly. At that time, governments couldn't run a deficit or borrow money to finance a long, drawn-out campaign. If wartime spilled into harvest, both sides could starve! Everyone knew this, and their tactics were based on doing only what was absolutely necessary.