Project Management

TIL: More Random Thoughts

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From "mine" to "ours" - shifting away from the white-knuckled grip of ownership, towards both personal and team accountability.

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It’s been almost a year since I shared things I’d learned as a PM (TIL – quick read). In that time, I’ve learned a whole lot more, some of which is included here.

  • Explain your acronyms. For example, it’s at least somewhat relevant to those of you reading this post that “TIL” stands for “Today I Learned.”
     
  • Build trust by trusting.
     
  • Narrative is important. Tell a compelling story and bring your target audience on the journey with you… they will follow where you lead.
     
  • Bring cupcakes once: you’re doing something nice. Bring cupcakes twice: you’re the person who brings cupcakes. Translation: You get to decide how you’re perceived and what’s expected of you. Decide mindfully.
     
  • Take every opportunity to breathe fresh air during the day.
     
  • “Radical change” means different things to different people (and different organizations). Get examples and clarifications before making any assumptions.
     
  • Celebrate! Wins (both big and small) deserve recognition. Take a moment for the team to appreciate what they have accomplished and enjoy it.
     
  • Respect uninterrupted work time. That includes interruptions from the project manager. If your question can wait, wait.

We all keep learning daily. What have you learned today? Share in the comments below.


Posted on: April 26, 2017 02:05 PM | Permalink

Comments (7)

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Naomi Caietti Senior Project Manager | ePMO | Higher Education | Healthcare & IT| Linkedin.com/In/NaomiCaietti
Julia:
Love this list. Today, it's raining. the birds are chirping and I have the windows open and like many days in a life of a PM; you'll have many distractions. Today, I'll share that every day a PM should spend more time listening; you'll hear more messages that you wouldn't have heard if you were talking.

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Julia Shumulinsky Senior Project/Program Manager - PMP| American Greetings Lakewood, Oh, United States
Thank you Naomi! I appreciate you growing the list! (particularly the idea of spending more time listening)

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Drew Craig Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard Philadelphia, Pa, United States
Great Julia. So succinct.

And Naomi, since you brought it up, last year we saw how many birds liked the cat food, so this year we have put out several bird feeders across our property. Best thing we ever did, well relatively speaking.



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Darren McCrea Director, Enterprise Information Services| Central Oregon Community College Bend, Or, United States
Great list. Working in IT (Information Technology), I especially like your suggestion of explaining acronyms. I have seen someone get that blank look more than once when someone from IT is speaking in a meeting. :)

Working in an inner office with only artificial light coming through my windows, I can't hear the birds chirping, but it was a good visual Naomi!



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Naomi Caietti Senior Project Manager | ePMO | Higher Education | Healthcare & IT| Linkedin.com/In/NaomiCaietti
Great growing list and conversations. Andrew, speaking of squirrels; they've been attacking my bird feeders on my farmers hooks so slinky to the rescue. :) Yes, Darren windows surround my office and furry friends at my feet daily. See you all tomorrow.

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Julia Shumulinsky Senior Project/Program Manager - PMP| American Greetings Lakewood, Oh, United States
Thank you all for keeping it going! Though outside can be dangerous, even in April. I ended up with a bit of a sunburn... which brings me to another item I learned today. Wear sunscreen.

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Alaa Hussein Program Manager| MEMECS Baghdad, Iraq
Thanks Julia, great post!

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