N. American Leadership Institute Meeting (LIM) Day 3 - Final Day

 

By Mike Adams, PMP® 
President Elect - PMI Otowi Bridge 
@MichaelAdamsPMP

Well, this has been an amazing few days. The speakers have been fantastic, the workshops have been worth while and the people have been...

wait for it...

amazing! Yes I said it again. I love PMI volunteers, they're some of the coolest folks you could ever hope to meet.

This morning brought my LIM experience full circle. I've been walking around a bit upset about my experience with Southwest Airlines on the way out, and this morning's speaker was a guy named, Jason Young, author of a book named Culturetopia. He got his start as a customer service manager for Southwest Airlines, and he talked about the values that were so important to the organization and that have pushed it to the success it now enjoys.

My reaction to this was mixed. I had a good flight and the crew were fantastic, I was unhappy with how the gate personnel acted, and at the lack of care for giving my seat away when I ran to the restroom. My twitter interaction wasn't helpful either. I guess I'd have to say, "yeah fly Southwest Airlines, BUT #DontGoToTheRestRoom"

Later, I attended the PMI award Gala, where I met PMI region mentors from around the world, don't ask my how I ended up at that table...I just saw the outgoing Region 7 mentor, Tony Appleby and asked if I could join him. Tony's a good guy to sit with, not only because he is fun, but because he sits with people you want to know!

The award ceremony was really fun too, I love seeing people receive awards. I love how their faces light up and I appreciate hearing about their accomplishments. It was a great evening.

I'll throw a shout out to my new friend, Mike Frennete, whom I've known on here on ProjectManagement.com, but whom I met in person at the LIM in Orlando. Mike is a great guy, and a new graduate of PMI's Leadership Institute Masters Class, where he spent the last year developing his leadership skills and honing his servant leadership abilities. Canada is lucky to have him!

I also got to see my original PM mentor, and a previous manager of mine, Mr. "Skippy" John Jones graduate from the Masters Class. It was invigorating. Congratulations John, and best wishes as you progress in your career and life!

My blogs for the rest of this week, will be about the PMI Congress. The LIM is over and now I enter into a new adventure, as an "expert"  for ProjectManagement.com. If you are here at congress, please say hi if you see me, also, feel free to sign up for an "ask an expert session." They should be interesting, and I'm looking forward to them!

Thanks PMI for a great 2015 LIM, I'm looking forward to the PMI Global Congress, and I'm looking forward to getting some sleep too.