are we too busy with the urgent to focus on the important?
TRANSCRIPT
Susanne Madsen
Project Management Leadership - Are we too busy with the urgent to focus on the
important?
Susanne Madsen
§ 17+ years experience as a project and programme manager
§ Managed programmes of up to $30m
§ PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner
§ Corporate and Executive Coach
§ Trainer, Speaker, Consultant
§ Published book “The Project Management Coaching Workbook – Six Steps to Unleashing Your Potential”
Management Leadership
Leadership Management
§ Task-oriented § Skills-based § Events and processes § Methods, calculations § Authority § Rational thinking § Knows it all § Tell § Push
§ People-oriented § Attitude and behaviour § Visionary § Inspirational § Motivational § Values others § Empowers others § Ask § Pull
III IV
II I
PEOPLE FOCUSLeading through peopleInspire people to follow
Pull
TASK FOCUSLeading through tasks
Authority basedPush
PRO-ACTIVEFocus on the project's strategic vision
REACTIVEFocus on immediate issues
Pro-active task management- Risk management- Planning- Quality Assurance
Pro-active people management- Relationship building- Leading and motivating the team- Proving vision and direction
Reactive task management- Urgent issue resolution- Defect handling- Fire-fighting
Reactive people management- Interpersonal conflict- People management issues
The Project Leadership Matrix™
Project Leadership
x
The VIP Model™
§ Lead with Vision
§ Work with Intent
§ Connect with People
Lead with Vision – how to do it?
§ Understand your client’s business
§ Focus on needs rather than wants
§ Co-own the business case
§ Consider tactical AND strategic drivers
§ Continuously improve and innovate
§ Dare to stand out and take risks
§ Ask: What if?
The Time Management Triangle™
2. Firefighting
Crisis Deadlines Urgent Issues Urgent Queries Interpersonal Conflict-
3. Time Wasting
InterruptionsTriviaUnimportant MailUnimportant CallsTime Wasting Activities
1. Proactive Planning Risk Mitigation Project Definition Relationship Building Challenging Status Quo Project Controls & ReviewsBig picture view; setting the vision
Work with Intent – how to do it?
§ Eat that Frog!
§ Learn to say “No”
§ Start your day with 90 minutes of clear focus!
§ Check email less frequently
§ Am I inventing things to do to avoid the important?
§ Am I being productive or just active?
§ Eliminate time waste, interruptions and multitasking
§ Use Pareto’s Principle (the 80/20 rule)
§ Delegate; train others to take on more responsibility
Success without Stress
§ Time management – focus on the important
§ Accept that you cannot know it all or do it all
§ Delegate and trust others to provide the solution
§ Ask for help when needed
§ Meditate and centre yourself (quiet time)
A Typical Story... How Project Management Coaching Helped Lisa
§ Felt overwhelmed; worked long hours; didn’t feel in control; had no-one to delegate to; couldn’t say “no”.
§ Started training and delegating to others and focusing on the 20% that added to 80% of her results.
§ Put emphasis on project planning, risk mitigation, team leading and stakeholder management.
§ As a result, projects are successfully delivered on time.
§ Leaves the office at 6pm and feels more fulfilled and happy.
Connect with People – how to do it?
§ Prioritise people – also those who work remotely!
§ Schedule one-2-one meetings for their benefit
§ Find out what they like most/least about their job
§ Involve people in the decisions that affect them
§ Ask questions – don’t just tell people what to do!
§ Praise people for a job well done!
Power and Influence Matrix
Allies
High
Low
Low High
Power and Influence
Supportiveness
Opponents
Walk into the lion’s cage!
Managing senior stakeholders
§ It is your responsibility to ensure your communication is understood
§ Spend time getting to know each stakeholder
§ Ask questions and listen
§ Be honest!
§ Partner with them and communicate in a way which suits them
1. How can I better lead with Vision?
2. How can I spend my time more proactively?
3. How can I better inspire my team to contribute?
4. What are the 20% that contribute to 80% of my results?
5. Which important activities have I been putting off?
6. Who do I need to spend more time with?
7. What if..?
Ask Insightful Questions
Are you ready to expand your comfort zone
X
X
X
Ask for Feedback! § Ask three questions
1. What should I stop doing?
2. What should I start doing?
3. What should I continue to do?
§ Ask your main client or stakeholder
1. What are you concerned about?
2. How would you like me to keep you updated?
§ Ask your team
1. How can I better support and challenge you?
FREE Access to Project Management Resources
To get FREE access please go to www.susannemadsen.com and register your interest
§ Get access to my personal project management resources
§ Templates, Worksheets, Webinars, and links to the best project management forums
§ Risks & Issues log, Project Initiation Document, Steering Committee Presentation etc.
Connect with Susanne
www.susannemadsen.com Twitter @SusanneMadsen
Connect on LinkedIn
By: Susanne Madsen ©2012, 8.5” x 11” softcover, 236 pages
Available on Amazon and on Kindle.
The Power of Project Leadership – out soon!
©2014. Kogan Page
“Susanne's book clearly demonstrates the insights and tools to become an inspira8onal leader. Highly recommended. All my team have a copy. I'm that confident of the effect it will have on my business.” Paul Daniels, Managing Director, Leadership and Management Ltd.