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Training and teaching have become such a big part of work. Every time there is something new, people need training. In many respects, we are in the learning business. But, have you ever had a moment when you are learning something new and you just don’t get it? As you look at your instructor’s face,

For me it has always been easier to edit than create. A blank piece of paper, or a blank screen, has been one of the most intimidating things I face – whether it is a proposal, a newsletter, a blog, or a report. I frequently ‘get stuck’ when faced with it. My response is usually

Last month we looked at how to set up behavior norms as the first step in the human side of onboarding. A close second in the onboarding is the human skills. Having behavior norms is good – but if your team doesn’t have the skills to actually perform in accordance with the norms, then your

Onboarding – what comes to mind when you hear the word?  Many times, onboarding is either reserved for new employees, or it only refers to explaining the technical scope of a project and ensuring that team members have the technical skills they need for their immediate job.  What about the human side of onboarding?  Commonly,

Francis Hesselbein, former CEO of Girl Scouts, said “Dispirited, unmotivated, unappreciated workers cannot compete in a highly competitive world.”  I have been thinking of this a lot lately, especially in conversations with my colleagues in the Oil and Gas Industry.  With oil hovering at less than $55 per barrel – cash is tight and spending

Benjamin Franklin said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” As a new year starts, it is natural to think about what is next.  What are the personal and professional goals for the next year? The top ones are usually more

Are you raising children or future adults?  This is a question my colleague John frequently asked me while my three children were growing up.  It is a question that even now, with my three children out of the house, I consider.  It is also one of the most frequently asked questions when I am leading

I have been thinking a lot about fear lately. It seems like we are constantly being told to ‘be afraid, be very afraid‘ of something – whether it is to sell products or drive votes. Being afraid is natural and very powerful – designed to keep us from being harmed. It can keep us safe

During a project management training session several weeks ago, the topic of perfection came up. The training participants denied that they were perfectionists. They couched it in all of the usual ways – saying that they had ‘high standards’, and they were ‘not satisfied with mediocre’, and ‘didn’t want to settle’. They argued that being

What a challenge managing a project! Not only do the technical details have to be managed, but so does the human side of the project. It doesn’t take much experience to realize that managing the technical side of a project is much easier than managing the human side.  The expression that frequently comes to mind