• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

A Solid Launch Consulting

A Human-Centered Approach to Leadership & Team Development

  • Home
  • Blog Posts
  • Links & Things
  • Subscribe!
  • Products
    • Articles & Blueprints
    • Training Courses
    • Small Group Coaching Intensive
    • Private Coaching
  • Members Only
    • Email Powerhouse Fast Track – Members Only Area!
    • Small Group Coaching Intensive
  • Log In

project teams

Soup to Nuts?or Hors d’Ouevres to Mignardise

July 4, 2020 by abuttiglieri

plate of fruit and crackers

I have a question for you: have you ever been at one of those fancy “12 Course Meal” restaurants?

A lot of us are so busy we throw together a quick dinner with everything served on the same plate, skipping the green beans because it would take too long and it’s too much effort.

Although we’re “fed”, we may not feel satisfied, and we aren’t getting the nutrients we need to stay healthy!

But think about that 12-course meal for a moment. It’s fascinating! The point is not just to fill your belly, but to let you experience the meal with all your senses, and each course builds upon the last – it’s a journey, not a destination. ?and they don’t skimp on the veggies!

The chef paints a complete picture – each course is an element essential to the whole. One that provides both experience and nutrition.

Often, our team members are hyper-focused on their own work. They are so deep in the weeds that they lose sight of what?s around them. They don?t see how they fit into the project as a whole, or how important it is to connect with the rest of the team.

Part of our role as Project Manager is to help the team step back and see the larger picture.

Here are 3 suggestions to help your people think beyond their box:

  • End to Ends: if your project is process-oriented, have the team members get together to run through a critical process (*warning: this can be really bumpy!)
  • Cross-Training: this is good practice anyway, but terrific for understanding how we’re all part of a whole
  • Introduce Errors: similar to End to Ends, have someone make a mistake in the first step of a process and see how it impacts everyone else

Your team will work better – and more effectively – if they pick up their head every once in a while. The way you help them do that is only limited by your imagination. Maybe you can paint them a picture with some fancy food!

Speaking of fancy, here’s an article that explains what goes into each course in that 12-course meal you just volunteered to make: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/2578/full-course-meal.html


Stay safe, stay healthy – and lead on!
Amy

PS ? I sent this post to my dad, who happens to be an amazing leader. Here’s what he said: “Your mother never skips the green beans. As far as working as a team, take time to celebrate everyone’s talent or contribution.”
Wise words from a wise man!

Filed Under: Effective Leadership Tagged With: leadership, project management, project teams, team leadership

Pivot

March 26, 2020 by abuttiglieri

Neon sign: think about things differently, with the word Differently upside down

The world is demanding that we change the way we live, work, and communicate. We?re in crisis mode right now, and people are feeling everything from ?mildly unsettled? to ?completely panicked?.

When a crisis happens on your project…because the SteerCo chopped your timeline, the company decided to reorg, or you lose a key resource:

  • How does your team react?
  • Who do they turn to?
  • How do you settle them down?
  • How do you get your project running smoothly again?

I bet you can answer these questions without having to think about them very long.

You are a Project Manager. You are used to shifting and flexing based on changes in the environment. It?s what you do and who you are.
And what your team relies on you for.

So my question for you is: what is the difference between a crisis due to an internal factor and an external one? 

The fact is, people will panic when something happens! 

  • Not everyone on your team is going to be comfortable ? or able to ? work from home
  • Some extended team members may not be available right now
  • IT may be backed up

So what do you do when the world shakes everything up? The exact same things you do when the reason is internal.

Need more convincing? Let’s see what your new challenges could look like in the old world (aka 3 weeks ago):

New World: You are being held to the SAME timeline, but your team isn?t as efficient
Old World: Your timeline got chopped

New World: you can?t reach your Sponsor because they are in crisis-management meetings every day. Or one of your Leads suddenly gets pulled for additional responsibilities in the plant because the usual supervisor is considered high risk and must stay home
Old World: The company reorganized

New World: A key resource doesn’t have a laptop, or they need to home-school their kids during the day. Or all the IT folks have been re-purposed to supporting all the resources who suddenly need to work from home.
Old World: You lost a key resource

Same effect, different cause.

Trust yourself in this new world. You pivot. You adjust. You are the rudder for your team no matter where the storm is coming from. You’re the Project Manager and YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Filed Under: Effective Leadership, Project Management, Remote Tagged With: project management, project teams, remote project management, remote projects, remote teams, team leadership

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2021 A Solid Launch Consulting LLC