The 13apples Blog» “are you ready to lead?”

Anything’s not on the menu.

Raj Menon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:42:34 +0000

I am the one behind the wheel. My role is to get us to the destination. All they have to do is to decide on a place to dine. I can understand if the confusion is due to the countless cuisines to choose from or maybe due to our various taste palates. No, that’s not why a simple decision to choose a restaurant turns into a long and overdrawn process for my friends, while I aimlessly drive around. We are too considerate. We want to be non-imposing. So instead of being forthright about our preference we respond with,

“I don’t know.”

“What do you like?”

“You decide.”

“I am ok with anything.”

Well… guess what? Anything’s not on the menu.

Project teams are no different. When there is a problem at hand and we need to make a quick collective decision, we go into long discussions, debates and arguments… till it comes to a point when the leader has to step in and make a decision.

Hey team, why can’t you make decisions collectively?

Are you too creative with your thought process that you find it tough to get the point across and convince anyone?

Are you afraid that your decision will get shot down and you don’t want to look like a fool?

Is it because you don’t want to be held accountable that you leave that decision for others to make, even though you know you know what will work?

Or do you not care?

Whatever your reason, you seem to forget that you are part of a team. You are not alone. There are no bad decisions, no wrong moves. There are only lessons to learn from. So be open minded and give creativity a chance. Encourage and support new ideas. Create an environment driven by accountability and trust.

Make decisions.

Peopleology

Raj Menon — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:48:35 +0000

Before you run and get a dictionary, rest assured; I know that peopleology is not a real word (at least not yet). If you ‘Google’ peopleology or people-ology, you will definitely get some hits. And I think you would also get a sense for what peopleology means to me.“OK” you say, “But I don’t wish to go play with a search engine right now. If I do the next thing I know hours will have clicked by and I want a simple answer right now.” That seems like a fair and reasonable request. Perhaps if I use it in a sentence?

“I help people in technology with peopleology, so that at the end of the day technologists are just as comfortable and successful in a room full of people as they are in a room full of computers.”

Let’s take the above sentence and apply it to project managers.

Each of us has a component of our job that requires subject matter expertise. If you are a project manager, it is very likely that you understand the type of work that your team is undertaking and you contribute your skill and expertise in running the actual project.

Project management is an art and a science. Developing strong and accurate estimating models is largely science. Creating an accurate project schedule is largely a science. Using earned value management another science.

Communicating the status of your project in the appropriate way at the appropriate time can be an art. Leading the project kick off meeting in such a way that you clearly illustrate the vision of your project and everyone leaves understanding how your project supports the strategic plans of your company is an art.

When I think of the art of project management, I think of the leadership skills required to motivate a team toward a common goal. I think of what it takes to build a strong cohesive high performing team. And when I think of these things, I am not thinking about leading through fear and intimidation. I am thinking of leading through peopleology. To me peopleology in leadership is the ability to make people WANT to do the work and to WANT to work with you. And why do they WANT to work with you? Because you care about them as human beings and you develop sincere relationships with them. You take the time to get to know them and learn what makes them tick. When you make a mistake you are not afraid to admit it. You are also not afraid to apologize. Building strong working relationships through respect, compassion and integrity, now that’s peopleology!

You do need to draw from the art and the science of project management. You wouldn’t want to hire a project manager with superior interpersonal skills and no understanding of the critical path.

But the project manager who is really good at creating and maintaining schedules and is a genius at numbers, but never leaves his or her office and does not practice peopleology, is likely to remain stuck. The project manager who masters the science and the peopleology is going places.

Peopleology. Noun. 1. The study of developing our human side at work
2. The belief that it takes more than technical skills to get ahead
3. The ability to develop bonds with co-workers that are based on respect, integrity and compassion. Treating others as they wish to be treated.

What do you think? Are you ready to study and apply peopleology?

Margaret Meloni is a people oriented leader with over 20 years experience in the information technology field and is a Certified Project Management Professional.

A constant throughout her career has been her strong communication skills and a passion to see other people at their best. Her work as a business coach to Information Technology professionals truly is her ‘Joy in The Job’.

Learn more about Margaret at Meloni Coaching Solutions.

Hats Off to You, the Project Team.

Raj Menon — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:25:33 +0000

Today, the 6th of November, is the International Project Management Day.

According to internationalpmday.org,

“The international project management day is intended to encourage project based organizations worldwide or organizations who utilize project management methodologies to schedule some type of recognition event within their organizations or coordinated locally with others to truly demonstrate appreciation for the achievements of project managers and their teams.”

How many of you knew that? I didn’t, until yesterday. My weekly toastmasters meet was also yesterday and I had signed up as the TableTopics Master. So, I took that opportunity to remind my fellow members about this auspicious day. I invited speakers to do an impromptu speech about their projects, about project management, about motivation. That’s how I honored this day, by recognizing the efforts and hard work of the Project Managers and the teams who deserve a lot more than that.

So for next time, mark your calendars. Celebrate this day. Make it an event. Make them feel special.

Remember Remember the 6th of November.

Building a Perfect Team

Raj Menon — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:00:11 +0000

I just finished listening to Nikos Mourkogiannis on Business Week’s “climbing the ladder” podcast titled “The Team’s Archetypes”, for the second time. Once again I am in awe of his thoughtful and inspiring talk on building the perfect team for your project. Nikos, I salute you.

In this podcast, Nikos talks about the need for having 4 types of people for any successful team – the magicians, the lovers, the sovereigns and the warriors – each with their own unique characteristics and strengths.

The Magicians are the dreamers, the innovators and the great communicators of ideas.

The Lovers are those who master the art of engagement, spread their love of the idea and get others to love and believe in the idea.

The Sovereigns are those independent rulers, the likes of kings and queens, who will show us the path to realizing that idea and who will inspire us to keep us going.

The Warriors are those who will take us through that path, who will lead the way through thick and thin, and will make the idea a reality.

While listening to Nikos, the obvious question that will pop into your head is “Who am I?”. Depending on what stage of your life or career you are at, the answer to this question may or may not be as obvious to you. But it will surely get you to think about how you fit it, what you want to be and where you are headed.Who am I? I have always been a warrior. Today, I am a warrior learning the ways of a sovereign. I learn from the magicians, the sovereigns and the lovers I work with. We are all part of a team. We are all leaders in our own right.

Now, I request you to listen to this excellent podcast here.

My Team

Raj Menon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:00:38 +0000

…is dependable, committed and hard working. They are prepared to stay back in office all night and work on that assignment, the one that prompted me to wake them up in the middle of their night to convince them that it is an important deadline that must be met no matter what. Politely, without complain and in most cases without another option, they oblidge. Sounds familiar? You would if you are a leader and they are your team.

I dont recall how many times I have done this to my team. I have done it everytime the customer breathes down my back with requests and issues. It’s not fair. Not always. As a leader I must realize that my job is not only to serve my client but also to serve my team. Every request from my client need not be attended to with urgency; every frown need not be considered an issue. But when expectations are always on the rise and when we are all trying hard to keep up, it is not easy to always do what is best for the team. It’s a competetive world and to excel (and sometimes just to survive) teams are required to go that extra mile. Fortunately for me, I have a team who understands this reality, trust in my leadership and deliver their best.

As leaders we cannot create the perfect world for our teams. We cannot change the business we are in, the customers we work with or the deadlines that drive our projects and our lives. Its just not possible to change everthing and everyone around us.

Here’s what we can do. We can change ourselves. We can be understanding and appreciative of our teams efforts. We can stop taking them for granted. We can take a minute out of our busy schedules and drop in a simple note of thanks. Simple yet powerful. In return, we will earn their respect for sure but above all its just the right thing to do. So don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or call in a meeting or send an email, simply to tell your team how much you appreciate what they do for you.