Back, but for how long?

Hello everyone, it’s been a while since the last time I wrote an article (you might remember “Keep your seatbelts fastened” from February 2022 – those were the days!). Today, I’m reviving the tradition of capturing and sharing my thoughts, and who knows how long this will last – but then again, life’s about trying, isn’t it?

I'm quite the clown

Lately, I’ve been juggling more things than a clown on a unicycle, but I got some great advice from my colleague, Luke T. , about knowing which are the rubber balls and which are the glass ones, and only dropping the rubber ones if necessary.

I’ve always known that taking care of the body and mind is vitally important for managing the various demands and challenges that life throws at us, and it got me thinking about how we can all ease the pressure by simply stepping back now and then – even if just for a moment – before we reach boiling point.

I'm really privileged that I get to work with such awesome people at Movar . Everyone is extraordinary, and a special shout out this week to Deana Salman .

A Dose of Grit

I’m currently engrossed in a book called Grit by Angela Duckworth that champions grit as a cornerstone of success. Its message is refreshingly straightforward: there is little to suggest that talent alone leads to success, and studies show that grit is a key ingredient for success. I haven't finished the book, but I am already recommending it! You can grab a copy here: https://a.co/d/2gwQE6h

Don't forget about those other skills

While AI continues to make headlines and revolutionise our work, it got me thinking that we mustn’t lose sight of human skills. As the technology becomes ever more sophisticated, it’s essential to remember that behind every algorithm is a human story. What I mean by this is that we can't forget about people skills. Skills like communication, active listening, growth mindset, etc. - you know the list!

Podcast Adventures

I’ve recently had the pleasure of being in the hot seat for a change on the latest episode of Project Flux . It was a real privilege to speak with James Garner and Yoshi Fabyan Soornack , and share my views as they put me through my paces. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zTwK6x8eyXgKWV8dJsBmj?si=0e603ecac7134171

We recorded our first in person episode of the GenAI podcast - it only took 23 episodes! Alan Mosca , Greg Lawton and I were like giddy children staring at each other in the eyes - you can listen or watch that episode here: https://youtu.be/jE0yD2-JyPY

Don't forget to check out Project Chatter Podcast and the Beyond Deadlines podcast too for some great conversations on project management and control.

Project Connect Group

We hosted the first Project Connect Group event of the year in London – a huge success that reminded me just how invigorating live, in-person conversations can be. Catching up with old friends and meeting some new ones was great as always! A huge thanks to my partner in crime, Chirag Shah FIRP ACaSA for your tireless work! If you want to keep informed about these in-person events join us here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/project-connect-group/?viewAsMember=true

AI in Action: Testing bolt.new

In my quest to stay on top of technological trends (thanks Yash Desai ) , I decided to test out bolt.new for website development. It’s a brilliant example of how AI is making once-daunting tasks more accessible and user-friendly. If you’ve ever thought about building your own website but were put off by the technical complexities, I highly recommend giving it a try – it might just be the game changer you need. You can check out the website I created and let me know how you'd mark my homework out of 10 here: https://ubuntu.onl/

Building Personal Brands in the Digital Age

Lately, I find myself chatting with many people about how they should build and nurture their personal brands. In today’s online world, crafting a digital persona is more than just about presence – it’s about telling your story in a way that resonates. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between authenticity and curation, and how our personal brands are, in many ways, our modern-day narratives.

As I wrap up this edition of it got me thinking..., I’d love to hear your thoughts.

• How do you manage your competing priorities?
• What’s your secret to a well-timed mental break?
• Have you discovered a nifty tool or had an enlightening conversation that made you pause and reflect?

Let’s keep the conversation going – share your stories, challenges, and yes, even your witty observations.

Until next time, stay curious, stay connected, and keep those seatbelts fastened – it’s bound to be another thought-provoking ride.

Dale