Moving pieces (Project Management 101)

The toughest thing but also the most rewarding thing about being a project manager is that you depend on other people to do the actual work. Yes, you plot the course, set the milestones and remind the team of the deadlines. But ultimately your success is often determined by the teams performance. 

Like a professional coach or business owner, a large part of your work goes unseen. And it can all fall a part or come together while you stand on the sidelines cheering your players on and directing their movements. 

You need to anticipate the next move constantly and the quicker you learn the ins-and-outs the better for you and the lifecycle of your project.

Every move has a desired outcome.

Know the players.

Understand the game.

Learn the strategies.

Real entrepreneurs don't have time for pitty parties

So, not too long ago I sat in on a break-away workshop discussing small businesses in incubators and the whole business development hub movement that has become quite popular. And frankly, I was stunned and little bit saddened by what I heard.

Granted, that sadness probably changed to anger and annoyance pretty quick.

The majority of the wanna-preneurs in the room lacked a basic ingredient that is essential to starting and growing a business. HUSTLE.

They would rather complain about the lack of funding government is giving. Or focus on what business hubs and incubators are doing wrong with their selection process. 

Really... 

Is it worth dragging business leaders, real entrepreneurs and thought leaders into a room only to throw a Pitty-Party? 

Blaming them for why your business is not succeeding. 

REALLY!? 

Let me answer that for you. No it is not!

If you are focused on the right things:

1. Adding value to your customers.

2. Adding value to your team or building a team if you don't have one yet.

3. Creating products and services that will drive home that value.  

4. Developing systems and processes that make it easier to do your jobs. 

5. Marketing. Because nobody knows your business better than you. 

Those problems, those discussions are worth having and worth bringing people together.  

Time; Is the greatest equalizer. It is also your greatest asset. Don't waste it on things you have no power to change. 

STAY HUMBLE & HUSTLE HARD. 

Words - And the power to communicate

Often it seems that communication is the key. Well that's because it usually is. It gets things done.

The President says the words. And a country goes to war.

She says; I Do! And your world changes forever.

"LET THERE BE LIGHT". And the world was created.

If you communicate well your team can enjoy victory and make a difference. If you fail to communicate effectively, then you can't expect much from your team.

The level of your communication can determine the success or failure of any undertaking.

Communication; is a powerful tool that is used by leaders to get things done. From Presidents, to Queens, Coaches to Pastors, Business Leaders to Managers. All need to use and carefully measure the effectiveness of their words.

God spoke the world into being. And indeed we are made in his image.

Words are a powerful tool. Now the question is, What are you going to do with them?

Why I don't like gatekeepers and you shouldn't either

Unless they work for you or the party is yours, security can usually be a pain.  

Don't get me wrong. Bouncers, security, secretaries, gatekeepers are all useful and valuable to most organizations. 

It makes you feel important. It gives an air of exclusivity. You made it. You are in the "in-crowd" . 

But here is the thing, when you create a "Tribe" you are not looking to keep people out. Rather your worldview and culture begins to naturally attract people of the same mind and repel those that don't agree. It leaves little room for bystanders and expects your involvement.

In an era where we are seeing dictators and traditional gatekeepers fall at a rapid rate.  

What do you want to create, a VIP club or a community - a Tribe? 

The art of virtual collaboration

When you live in the middle of nowhere, it makes the most sense to be connected to the thing that allows you to be anywhere. The Internet has forever, changed the way the game is being played. Indeed it is a geographical equalizer, leveling the playing field, making it absolutely irrelevant where you live as long as what you present to the world is strong enough to speak for itself.

And yet, still we (myself included) don't seem to use it to its full potential. 

Being able to find useful information at a touch of a button is great. The ability to connect with millions of people is wonderful. 

But the ability to build a virtual team to create something new is truly remarkable. 

Choose your mode of communication.

Select your team members. 

Define your project. 

GO! 

And then, rinse and repeat. 

Project Hustle

Atlanta Airport  

We hear it all the time. Work hard! Put in the work! And it is true, you do need to work hard because nothing worthwhile comes easy. You do need to put in the work because no skill comes without practice and repetition. 

But have you ever stopped to think about what you are working on? What you are really working towards?  

A question I will never forget was told to me by a friend when we were in the trenches of a job we both hated.  

He said to me who works harder: A coal miner or Bill Gates? This obviously being a trick question I decided to give him a witty answer.  

Well naturally a person could say the coal miner works physically harder but the corporate guy works mentally harder, I said with a smile thinking I nailed that question.

Then he said to me they both work equally hard. One physically and one mentally. The difference is that one focuses on creating value for others while the other focuses on getting a paycheck for themselves. 

Two people. Same hours in a day. Same energy. Different focus. 

Oh yes... Greetings from the USA.  

Important Management Lesson in two words

When I am often asked to do things that don't play to my strength zone and could impact on the affectiveness of the team, two words often come to mind.

Diego Forlán.

I don't often use sports analogies but when they describe a situation perfectly it's hard to resist.

The story of Diego Forlán's unsuccessful career at Manchester United, is one of those perfect examples.

When Forlán joined Manchester United on the 22 January 2002, for an estimated £6.9 million he  must have thought he was making the best career move of his life. After all, MU was a legendary football club with lots of money and with arguably the best head coach in the world in the form of Sir Alex Ferguson. 

With his talent and a pocket full of money, the stars seemed aligned to give him a stellar career. But unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. 

He scored a few goals, made a few headlines but never seemed to really fit in with the big red machine. He eventually left Manchester for a smaller club in the form of Villarreal and his skills and ability seemed to really takeoff. Even becoming the star performer at the 2010 World Cup.

You need to recognize when your leader is not playing you in your strength zone and do something about it. 

Sometimes you will be blessed with a wonderful boss or manager who understands your position and wants to help you play to your strengths.

Hey, It doesn't happen often but it's been known to happen.

For most of us unfortunately, we won't have that luxury. We can't sit down and have a heart to heart with our boss about what we feel they are doing wrong in leading us so we have to get smart about how we lead ourselves.

Doing well at our jobs inspite of our bosses not because of them is an important lesson to learn.

This will require a lot of internal motivation, so don't be expecting any "High fives", pats on the back or that a boy! while you work on getting this process right.

I recently read a wonderful quote that said, and I'm paraphrasing here: "Everybody has genius within them. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it could go the rest of its life believing that it is stupid."

My challenge to you:

Know what game you are playing.

Are you an employee or an entrepreneur?

Are you going to do this thing you are passionate about as a hobby or are you going to be a professional? Decide and own it!

Know what plays to your strengths. And focus on your strengths.

And play your position to the best of your abilities. Not someone else's.

So the next time your boss wants you to operate from a position of weakness or you find yourself continually in an environment that plays against your strengths. Remember these 2 words.

Diego Forlán.

Question:

What do you think your strengths are and how can you operate more from them? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you.