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| November 15, 2010 | |
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In this Edition
Note From the Editor: The Difference Between “Managing” and “Leading” Note From the EditorA quote we hear fairly regularly around our office is one that is often attributed to General George Patton: “I have never seen men managed into battle. I’ve only seen them led.” In the “work” world, this is an important distinction. Too often we let titles and processes define us, the way we do our work, and how we interact with the other individuals involved in our projects. What’s important to remember is that people are what really matter. Happy people who feel they are contributing in valuable ways and to valuable causes are where quality work originates. People, in general, will always resist being controlled. What they need is to be properly motivated and empowered by those who lead through example, experience, and an optimistic attitude. True to this theme, this newsletter will include important discussions about Leadership. We’ll talk about common traits successful leaders share, the fundamentals that will lead to valuable experience, the elements of good decision-making, and the importance of being able to acknowledge hiccups and problems that occur in projects. Feature ArticleManaging Culture Change and the Golden Rule I know...30 years ago when your boss told you to do something, you did it. At least those of us in the workforce 30 years ago did. And no, we didn't like it then either. Let's face it, times have changed. Generation X and Y are used to having more control over what they do and when they do it than any other generation of workers … Read the complete article here Blog PostsDoes a Good Leader Really Make a Difference?
Read the complete blog post here Fundamentals that Breed Valuable Experience Mastering (and practicing) the fundamentals isn't very exciting, but it's often the difference between someone who is successful and someone who isn't. In the words of the famous cyclist, Greg Lemond, "Perhaps the single most important element in mastering the techniques and tactics of racing is experience. But once you have the fundamentals, acquiring the experience is a matter of time." The same can be said of successful work management. Experience comes after fundamentals… Read the complete blog post here The Foundational Elements of Good Decision-Making
Read the complete blog post here If You Can’t Say Anything Nice… Sometimes there are things that need to be said, even if they're painful to hear. Projects rarely go exactly as we plan, and adapting to challenges and overcoming obstacles is what managing projects is all about. Until organizations are willing to face the challenges (and warts) of their projects and allow project leaders to acknowledge and talk about what's broken, we will continue to have failed projects and shot messengers… |
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It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about political leaders, military leaders, or project leaders – these are some of the traits that successful leaders share…
Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic strip once said, "Informed decision-making comes from a long tradition of guessing and then blaming others for inadequate results." Adams’ description of how decisions are made might be accurate. Many organizations don't foster good decision-making practices—handicapping project leaders, project teams, and their organizations. The answers to the following three questions will help you and your organization foster a workable decision-making process… 