Articles

Want More Creativity? Try Silence!

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 to procrastinate, until I can’t anymore, and then harness the last minute pressure to push through and deliver the document. I would guess that I

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Onboarding the Human Side Part 2 – Human Skills

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 end goal of having a productive, cohesive team will not be achieved. I believe that people do the best for what they know how to

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Onboarding the Human Side: Part 1 – Behavior Norms

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, I will hear a team leader say, ‘I recruit good, experienced people so onboarding really isn’t necessary.’  That can sometimes hold true, and you (luckily)

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Seize the Opportunity – Invest In Engagement!

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 is almost non-existent.  The focus, during a downturn like this, is often to just save money in the moment.  Cash is hoarded, people are laid

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Make Space For A New Year

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 exercise, eat better, and increase business.  But, even more can be created if we do our due diligence – making sure that we complete the

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Are You Raising Children or Future Adults?

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 courses.  Wanting to be a ‘good parent’ is a goal for many parents.  So this question is important to ask and can shift your perspective

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Fear and Decisions – What’s Driving?

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 and aware of sketchy situations. It can also make us hesitate and hold back – choosing a path that is safer but not necessarily better.

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Perfectionism – Taming the Beast!

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 a perfectionist was a positive attribute, as they were never satisfied with the status quo and always looking to improve. I offered an alternative view

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Are You Managing a Project Or Herding Cats?

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 is ‘Herding Cats’. Today’s projects, even the small ones, involve many people and disciplines, and consist of multiple, integrated components and systems. Without skills training

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The Cost of Unresolved Conflicts

When I teach project management skills, I am frequently asked:  What is Most Important Skill to Have as a Project Manager?  They are sure that my answer will be the technical skills of understanding the project plan and schedule.  Or being able to manage the cost model and run some elaborate cost analysis.  My answer almost always surprises the audience.  It is conflict resolution.  You must be superb at surfacing conflicts and facilitating conflict resolution if you want to be

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