Disobedient Talk

A friend mentioned that his project manager was “born for the job.” He said his PM has lived his whole life acting, sounding, and BEING like a project manager in whatever he does. That started some thinking about how exactly a project manager behaves. Here…

Many things can hamper a project, but none are as impactful as a conflict between senior leaders. While project managers usually can’t resolve those conflicts themselves, there are things they can do to manage the situation. Here are things project managers can do about potential conflicts…

Projects create change. Ensuring that stakeholders fully understand the change is critical for success. The best way to do this is to create a picture of the change in their minds. Here’s what must be included in that picture. The job changes stakeholders will see. …

Even effective relationships between project managers and senior leaders can have gaps in knowledge and understanding.  One of the most impactful gaps is unspoken fears about a project’s approach, outcome, or working with specific stakeholders. Even experienced senior leaders can succumb to fears not communicated…

I’m lucky enough to have a small cabin by a lake. It’s a great place to hang out, especially when it’s cool outside because the cabin is heated with a wood-fired pot-belly stove. It’s a return to the fundamental joys of life. Preparing to use…

In today’s fast-paced business environment, complex projects have become the norm. These projects are characterized by multiple influential stakeholders; technical innovations managed across technical teams, and the need to satisfy current and future requirements. These conditions present unique challenges that demand a sophisticated approach to…

Project management processes often fail to take root in organizations, leading to reinvention and inefficiency. This can be avoided by ensuring critical elements are in place when implementing project management processes. Here are the characteristics of robust, flexible, and enduring processes that enhance project success….

A recent flight experienced a delay, so I had extra time at the airport. Believing time is precious, I immediately went to “open my to-do list” mode, considering what I could do, seeing I had extra time and was not at my desk. Here are…

First, here is a quick overview of intelligent disobedience. In a business context, intelligent disobedience is an act performed with the intent to create a better outcome than would be achieved by following standard rules, practices, or current management direction. Intelligent disobedience means valuing outcomes…

Many people cite finesse as an essential skill for successful project management. While finesse can represent several different behaviors, here are examples of how project managers can deploy finesse while delivering projects. Make it their – and your – idea. I’ve often heard the advice…

I don’t care how large or small your organization is; you are a CEO, a Chief Environmental Officer. How you celebrate victories, deal with defeats, work through coaching moments, and set the tone when you interact with your colleagues will determine the tone they carry…

I’m often asked if anyone and everyone in an organization can execute intelligent disobedience (ID). The answer is definitely NO! To execute ID successfully, certain characteristics need to be present. Here are the characteristics I look for in an intelligently disobedient leader. Characteristic 1: Driven…