Project Management Thoughts

The 2020 journey has just begun and it is a good opportunity to breathe and think.

PM Network? magazine, PMI’s award-winning monthly magazine about project, program and portfolio management, asks regular questions in PMI Project, Program and Portfolio Management Linkedin Group*.

I usually answer the questions and not necessarily publish them and today, I would like to share my thoughts with you. I hope these questions might spark some insights for you, too. Maybe you want also to think about them? or to take some new resolutions for 2020?

Good thinking (and reading) and happy new year 2020!

1. What’s one essential step you’ve taken to hone your leadership skills?*
2. What's one thing you do—during work or off the clock—to reduce work-related stress? How do those actions help you keep your cool and maintain a healthy perspective?*
3. During kickoff, what's one key step you take to ensure the #project and team are aligned to #strategic objectives?*
4. What’s a unique challenge you’ve encountered when managing virtual teams or team members? What tactic do you use to solve that obstacle—and how does it ensure that virtual team members stay engaged?*
5. When preparing for your next #performance review, what steps do you take to measure and show your #value on projects and to the organization?*
6. How do you reward team members for managing difficult tasks or completing #projects? And how do those rewards help sustain #performance?*
7. How do you help #project team members bounce back from #burnout? And why do those actions work so well?*

Here are my humble thoughts:

1.     What’s one essential step you’ve taken to hone your leadership skills?*

 So far, I did many trainings about leadership and communication. However, I felt I needed practice.I decided to become an active volunteer in PMI? and it is the best decision I’ve ever taken: since October 2018, I could meet so many different people from background, industries, culture. It is a great way to become more aware of myself and the impact on others as well as expanding my network. Volunteering is a source of knowledge and growth!

2.     What's one thing you do—during work or off the clock—to reduce work-related stress? How do those actions help you keep your cool and maintain a healthy perspective?*

During work, I use several means: I listen to relaxation music to calm me down, I move in the office (to pick up water or paper at the printer). I listen to a mindfulness podcast, recorded on my mobile for a few minutes. I write in a draft email my thoughts, frustration, disagreements to free my mind: this email will never be sent but it helps to keep the proper boundaries and to take some distance to a given situation. What is important is re-center myself on my body and turn the negative energy of stress into a positive outlook.The most important is to remain professional and not let stress turn situations into personal conflicts. In the global workplace, collaboration implies many exchanges and monitoring oneself is a key asset. Sometimes it is easier said than done.

Outside of work, if stress related to work goes into my personal time, I make sport and connect with trustful friends: speaking in confidence, laughing help me to unwind very much. I have also many different hobbies: writing some Japanese (such a different activity) forces me to focus on the gestures, the meaning and to travel in mind.

3.     During kickoff, what's one key step you take to ensure the #project and team are aligned to #strategic objectives?*

If I can I invite the sponsor of the project to be able to answer the questions directly.Or I make a pre kick off with the sponsor and appropriate stakeholders.

4.     What’s a unique challenge you’ve encountered when managing virtual teams or team members? What tactic do you use to solve that obstacle—and how does it ensure that virtual team members stay engaged?*

The main challenge I have encountered is misunderstanding due to language and accents ‘ differences. During the virtual meetings, I use a software to share my screen and I write everything that I say so that the contributors can correct me if I have misunderstood.Depending on the culture, I also follow up with instant messaging software or phones to double check that what we agreed was well understood.It is much communication but this is an essential part of the project’s success!

5.     When preparing for your next #performance review, what steps do you take to measure and show your #value on projects and to the organization?*

I use facts and data and compare to what was done before. I also share feedbacks from stakeholders if I have some. I also show how

6.     How do you reward team members for managing difficult tasks or completing #projects? And how do those rewards help sustain #performance?*

I try to make different things.In my different roles I did not have the role of giving bonus but I advocate to the line manager for the team member to be rewarded by a bonus.I also advocate for trainings as some team members are keen on getting trainings on new topics to maintain or learn new skills.If by any chance, long hours were done to complete the projects, I then insist on them to leave early and to have a rest. I thank the team member publicly and by email: a sincere 'thank you' means a lot.

7.      How do you help #project team members bounce back from #burnout? And why do those actions work so well?*

So far I did not have this experience, fortunately. So my answer will be theoretical.I think it is important as a leader to understand what motivates people in your team. More importantly, to be available to listen any issue: administrative or technical. At any case, gaining knowledge in reading the face and detecting the signs of a future burnout are key asset for any leader or manager.

#PMI #PMNetwork #SelfLeadership #ProjectManagement #PMP #KnowledgeSharing #ContinuousLearning #WritingLetters

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* The questions asked in this article are asked by PM Network? in PMI Project, Program and Portfolio Management Linkedin group: https://www.dhirubhai.net/groups/2784738/

Photo credits in the article: Pixabay