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Successful Leadership Comes From Leaning Into Your Own Style

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The Dollar Bill

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A few years ago, I was called in to take over a project that was in trouble: the Project Manager left suddenly and there had been no direct leadership for over a month.

In my first walk around the project area, I noticed a dollar bill thumb-tacked to a wall. I was curious but had other priorities so didn’t comment on this odd sight.

Weeks went by with the typical flurry of ramp-up activity: Who is responsible for each area, what are the requirements, how are we tracking them, where are the gaps, etc. When I stopped to catch my breath, I remembered the dollar bill, so I asked about it.

“Oh, that,” I was told. “The old PM said it was our project bonus.”

WHAT?!

I was horrified.

What the devil was their PM thinking? How did he expect the team to stay motivated with a symbol of negativity in their face day after day?

Apparently, the PM was trying to make a joke.

It was not funny.

The fact is, the team was extremely de-motivated when I got there. They felt unappreciated, stressed, and a bit hopeless in the face of all they needed to do.

I think of that dollar bill not as a self-fulfilling prophecy, but as a perfect representation of how that PM ran the project. His negativity made a difficult project that much worse. He let the team know he thought management saw them all as unimportant and unworthy.

And it took me months to turn things back around.

What that PM failed to understand is that people respond to our attitude and actions more than our words. If we want respect, we need to treat our people with respect. If we want the team to give 100%, we don’t simply tell them; we give 100% ourselves (if not more).

Just because we are in a tough situation doesn’t mean we need to infect the whole project. Difficulties happen all the time: We’re being pressured from the top, or there’s a really tricky issue we haven’t resolved. Maybe we’ve missed a milestone or something’s happened at home that takes us off our stride. While we shouldn’t pretend the world is made of cotton candy, it’s important to find the positive and use that to keep the team motivated.

And there is always something positive, even if we need to hunt for it.

Bottom line, a project team is made up of people. Human beings who are smart, creative, and want to do their best. Our job is to help them get to the goal line. We are here to remove barriers, not to be the barrier!

I took down that dollar bill as soon as I found out why it was there. And I let the team know how I felt about the old PM’s “joke.”

At the time, they may have thought my reaction was a bit over-the-top. But as the project progressed and we gained momentum, the mood improved and it wasn’t such a bad place to be anymore. The project continued to have its challenges, but it wasn’t due to a poor atmosphere.

As for the team’s project bonus? Let’s just say it’s too bad that old PM quit when he did.

January Holiday Card Review is More Than Tradition

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Every January I take time to re-read the Christmas cards I received from friends and family. It’s so busy in December that it can feel like opening cards is just another to-do on my already long list. But once the holidays are over and winter settles in, I make a cup of tea, curl up on my sofa, and go through the cards at a more leisurely pace.

What I love most about my January tradition is noticing the little details in each card; more than how old the kids are or if someone changed addresses, but “I wonder what they loved most about their time in San Diego?” and “wow, he looks more and more like his dad every year!”

Some of my favorite cards are the ones with personal notes and family letters. We have one friend who sends a picture of himself and his wife…and their latest bunny. I always look forward to seeing that one!

Each holiday card is unique and reflects the personality of the sender.

Each card is special because it shows the sender’s unique personality and how they approach the holidays.

Have you noticed how wide the variety is in the cards? Sparkles, stickers, photos, drawings, and cartoons. Card stock, photo paper, flat, folded…it’s incredible. I always wonder: why did they select this particular card? What did they like so much about it? “Because they were on sale” doesn’t tell the whole story – there was more than one design in the sale rack. They chose that card.

Even doing the same task, individuality comes through. Each person approaches buying, preparing, and sending holiday cards from a completely different angle.

So—how about your team, your executives, and your end users?

You’ve heard that when you gather ten people in a room they come out with eleven different opinions. This shouldn’t be a surprise. But have you ever thought about why?

Everyone at work is influenced by their position and department, the corporate culture, how their week is going, and their enjoyment of the task at hand. They’re also impacted daily by how they slept the night before, the weather, the traffic, the day of the week, their personal relationships, and past experience.

I could go on, but the point is this: it’s nearly impossible for two people on the same team to have identical views on anything.

How do you get anything done without resorting to draconian tactics?

Project management fundamentals will bring you a long way: a clear goal, scope, timeline, RACI, etc. Your colleagues will follow clear guidance because they want to succeed at this project!

No PM loves running a project where their people follow orders with no enthusiasm. It doesn’t just feel flat but in fact limits your project’s ability to succeed. Why is this? Because enthusiasm means there is hope and confidence. These, in turn, mean your team will bring their best game to the project, including out-of-the-box problem solving.

As the Project Manager, you can foster enthusiasm by paying attention to the people on your team (core, executive, extended) by meeting them where they actually are, not where you’d like them to be.

You’re probably not be able to curl up on the couch and spend an afternoon think about each person’s motivation. But you can pay attention to how they talk about a task in your next meeting and their approach to a particular issue. You can notice their relationships with other team members and whether they’re perpetually late (or early).

Even if you’re not in the same room, how does your team member (let’s call him John) seem today on Zoom? Is John quieter than usual or is his camera off? Does he seem particularly frustrated with a topic or does his comments have more of a bite to them this week?

Consider what might be going on in John’s head. He may have pressure from other projects (or perhaps it’s year-end close…or annual budget time and he’s under the gun). Maybe he has an issue that he hasn’t figured out how to handle yet and it’s putting him off his game. Take a closer look at John’s calendar the next time you schedule a meeting. Is his calendar a sea of blue?

Knowledge is power. If we understand, we can help.

One final thought. No matter what we’ve learned about John’s unique attitude and motivation, we have to remember that every person’s opinion and approach is valid. Our role is to pay attention and remove barriers so the whole team can move forward, not just John.

It’s not always easy to keep a group of people moving forward in synch, but a little extra effort to understand each team member will give you the insight you need to keep your team members motivated, and that makes success a whole lot easier to achieve.

Include Your Whole Value Chain from the Start

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We need to gather input from the teams down the length of the entire value chain.

As an IT/IS project manager, I am often involved in the selection of business software. The RFP is a key component of any large purchase, as it allows us to compare several systems against a set of common requirements, including business, technical, cost, and support.

But it doesn’t go far enough.

It’s easy to focus on marketing, finance, and the end user requirements. But what about infrastructure, manufacturing, or field technicians? How about quality control or customer service? We need to gather input from the teams down the length of the entire value chain.

I’ve been in situations where two systems look great: functionality, front end, and cost all are where we need them to be. Vendors, of course, talk a good game. Their RFP responses look similar. On the surface they’re both shiny new sportscars with all the latest gadgets.

But then the technical folks get in there and check under the hood. They find one still has an engine circa 1980! There’s no way this will work in your organization. You don’t have the resources to maintain the servers or update the desktop-based application. And it makes no sense to revert your users to 32-bit!

Good thing you included the tech folks before you signed the contract.

But not all projects involve software.

Years ago, our company was struggling because our manufacturing costs were consistently high. A review of our new product development process revealed that the problem wasn’t our product, and it wasn’t the skill of our manufacturing team. It was the NPD process itself.

R&D would design a product, test it in their small, flexible lab, and hand it over as a defined product. They weren’t aware of the constraints of large-scale manufacturing. No one asked them how long it would take to change over a line.

Manufacturing was not involved in the process until the very end. They had no input! The result was a product that worked as designed but could have been made at half the cost if only someone had checked with them first.

In the software example, it is wise to plan for a technical deep dive with the vendor finalists. We don’t want to bring them in too early, before we’ve finished analysis on other areas. But adding this tech review as a normal part of our software selection process can eliminate years of headaches for end users, IT, and you!

For product development, we want to make sure all areas of the value chain are involved in the NPD process. That doesn’t mean Support has equal say in the design as R&D, of course, but reviewing early and keeping them in the loop can keep you from launching a product that’s unsupportable.

All projects rely on communication through the whole value chain, at each phase of a project. Pull in the experts when it makes sense and plan to make adjustments. Reach out to teams you don’t traditionally include. And be prepared for a better outcome!

Helping a New Team Member Settle In

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I went into the office for the first time last week. I’ve been working from home since that fateful day in March 2020, when my manager called and said, “Don’t come in this week.”

When a resource joins your team halfway through the project, it’s not possible to “hit the ground running” unless you give them a solid surface first.

Life has been shaken and stirred since the last time I had to commute. And for me it also meant a new client, with new projects and a new office.

I admit, I was a little nervous. Would I find my way there…and around the campus? Where would I sit? Who would I see? What are the expectations for eating at my desk, talking within the group work area, and conference calls? Finally, how long does everyone stay at the end of the day?

So many worries!

Everything turned out fine, of course. But it started me thinking about how a new employee (or contractor) feels when they join your team.

If it’s a brand-new project it’s a bit easier, as you can start with a kick-off. Everyone is starting fresh, and you make your way forward together.

But if your resource is joining in the middle of the project, especially if they don’t know anyone or they’re new to projects in general, it can be more nerve-wracking. Not only are they worried about the logistical pieces (see above!), but they may also wonder if they’ll fit in, how much they’re expected to know already, and whether they’re going to fail miserably!

How can we help our new team members handle the pressure and settle into their role?

  • First, have as much logistical information as possible. This may seem counterintuitive, but helping someone new figure out where the coffee machine is (and how to use it) will give them a sense of control, however small. And from there they can move forward.
  • Next, let them know what to expect during the first few days. Your new person may be wondering if they’re getting a laptop, if they’re supposed to concentrate on taking all the training assigned to them, or if you expect them to start diving into action items right away.
  • If there are a few key people in the organization—maybe an admin who knows how to navigate the operational waters—introduce them! Perhaps go a step farther and ask one of the go-to resources to keep an eye out for your team member. Most people feel good about being asked!
  • Finally, be patient and answer all their questions. Remember that you’ve known Sue in Accounting for years, but someone who just started may not remember if it’s Sue or Susan…or Sam! They’re going to slip up. Be there to help, even if you’re busy.

I consider the first month of ramp-up time for a new resource as having a “puppy license.” This is the time when they’re drinking from the fire hose, their head is spinning, etc. Encourage your new resource to take advantage of this time to ask questions and meet as many people as possible. Because that time is all too short. You’ll need them to start taking control of their own meetings and schedule soon, rather than relying on you to guide them.

One final thought about helping someone transition in. The best way for them to realize they’re not the “new guy” anymore is to connect them with someone even newer. You may not have another new person (bonus if you do), but when your resource becomes the one with the answers, their view of where they fit in the team can shift in a big way.

All Metrics are NOT Created Equal

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Your data can show just about anything. But how do you know you’re showing the right data with the right amount of detail?

Mark Twain was fond of the saying, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”  These words are as true now as they were back in the 1890s.

Living in this information age is incredible. There’s no waiting for another team to calculate and then hand over results. You don’t have to guess anymore—you know. This independence grants you both speed and security in your decisions.

With so much data available, and a myriad of ways to analyze it, it’s ridiculously easy to create the exact metrics you need to prove any point. You need no more than Excel to produce a compelling data story.

This, of course, adds amazing value to your project. You can spot trends in an instant and use a chart to make the impact hit home with your executives. Compiling results data and using it to determine the success or failure of testing takes seconds instead of days.

  1. It’s easy to slip into a pattern of going for flash instead of substance.

I’ve seen plenty of Project Management presentations showing colorful, complex charts with lines and bars…in 3D. Super cool. But I haven’t the slightest idea the point they’re trying to make. Lots of glitter with no substance.

To combat this, constantly remind yourself who you’re presenting to. I don’t know many executives who are impressed with flash. The easier you make it for them to understand the bottom line, the more you really will impress them. So, unless you’re presenting a new advertising campaign, all your design efforts should go into honing how to easily communicate your point.

2. We can make the data say pretty much anything we want.

It’s a matter of perspective. We can make a 1% increase look big or small, depending on the overall volume. Your judgment here is critical. If you’re concerned about a 1% increase, what other data supports the larger impact? Thinking through the supporting data will do more than help present your case: it will help you determine whether the change is as relevant as you initially thought.

Your stakeholders, including your team, aren’t going to know all the data available. They are trusting you to give them the information needed to move forward. What will best support them in their role?

When you are alone at your desk, take some time to play around with the data. Ask yourself questions like these:

  • What can I use to show a mitigation is working?
  • How can I prove out our success metrics?
  • How do I show the risk vs. reward of a decision?
  • What are my sponsors’ biggest concerns, and can I validate our solution?

This broad knowledge base will do a few things for you. First, it will give you a feel for the data available, and what’s useful and not. Second, when it’s time to answer a question or make an important point, you’ve already done half the work.

Keep in mind the goal of your project, and always focus your metrics to that end. I don’t mean to show the project is amazingly successful if that’s not really the case. Your job is to cut as clear a path to your goal as you can, and that means being honest about the backslides as well as the surges forward.

Finally, don’t discard a super-cool graphic just because it is flashy. Maybe a 3D chart is exactly right to help your team understand a trend on your project. Just consider the sparkle a bonus, instead of the heart of the communication.

Riding the Waves of a Project

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Projects can be like riding the crest of a wave—super fast and exciting, but stressful. But along with the swells, there are troughs where suddenly there’s “nothing to do.” Take advantage of the troughs!

Projects can be crazy busy. Long days, back-to-back meetings, milestones, updates, and endless decisions to make. My stress level climbs just typing it out!

But there is a flip side that we don’t often acknowledge, and one that we should take advantage of.

While much of our project maintains hectic pace, there are also periods where we’re simply waiting. We may be in the midst of testing, or waiting for a contract to be signed. Or there’s no one around during the holidays so you hear, “We’ll pick it back up in January.”

I think of it as ocean crests and troughs.

While the surge of activity can be overwhelming, it is also exciting. We feel a sense of accomplishment when we solve a challenging issue or reach a milestone. We can even look back on a full day of meetings and be proud (and amazed) that we lived through it all! These wave crests are the reason they hired us, a professional Project Manager. No one handles it better.

But what about the troughs?

For me, this downtime can be more stressful than the crests. Too little to do is worse than too much!

Waiting is not my strong suit, I’ll admit. A day with no meetings is fantastic if I’m in the middle of creating a complex project schedule or preparing for a Launch decision. The rest of the time, however, I’m just about ready to jump out the window if there’s nothing else on deck. Which is why, over the years, I’ve learned how to take advantage of the slow times on a project.

I find these to be most useful during this “down time”:

  • Create a Project Plan. I’m not talking about a schedule but a Word document with a section for different project areas like testing, documentation, project strategy, and special considerations. Use this document to write out ideas, decisions, and plans. Allow your mind to flip between areas without the need to keep focused on one. You will likely never need to present this document, but I find that going back and updating it helps me retain the project thread when my schedule get crazy again.
  • Catch Up on Documentation. Not the ones you’re simply behind on, though yes, do those first! Take this time to start the next few documents you know you’ll need. (And having a Project Plan handy is a great jumpstart.) You may be months away from your launch date, but starting your Launch Plan (aka Cutover Plan, Go Live Preparation Plan, etc.) will take the pressure off later when things are busy—you won’t have to start from scratch.
  • Rest. It’s easy to say but so hard to do! Take time off if you can. Actually take a break for lunch instead of eating at your desk. Put in eight hours and go home (or shut down your laptop). I consciously try to slow down my typing speed so I’m more thoughtful in my chats and emails. And, as I work from home, I take a minute to step outside and breathe some fresh air.

We all know the wave crests will come again soon, and we’ll wish we took advantage of the downtime that comes with a trough. Plan for it now so you can take advantage when it hits.