Attending PMI EMEA Global Congress was an amazing opportunities!
Three are the key elements of a PMI Congress: knowledge, networking, fun!
Knowledge
My favourite was: Optimising Stakeholder Engagement by Understanding the Human Side of Complexity" by Dave Gunner
He started analysing PMI Pulse of the Profession 2016 (available here) and he started analysing of many cause of project failures can be linked back to complexity and the human side. But what is "complexity"? It's a concept quite hollow to grasp. He explained it using a clear example: a planted seed can grow, or not, depending by several factors, the ground, the weather, etc. this is complexity.
He then provided the audience with some extremely useful tools:
- Human Behavioral Complexity Sheet
- Conflict Resolution Style Self-Assessment
These tools can provide a first indication about how we are currently reacting to conflict; in fact, the same test taken in a different period can provide different results.
He than shared some tactics fon minimising conflict with:
Senior Managers
- Position yourself in their shoes
- Take solutions as well as problems
- Keep them informed of progress
- Consult Them
- Observed them
Project Team Member
- Understand team members personal goals
- Ensure they understand goals of projects
- Give praise and recognition
- Encourage openess to discuss issues
- Develop tolerance to failure
and remember, we should not shy away or avoid conflict: it helps generating new ideas and avoids hiding frustration!
Networking
Attending PMI Events always gives me the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
These kind of relationships are valuable and meaningful not only during the congress, but during the year, exchanging opportunities, thoughts and expertise we can rely on.
Fun
During the Reception we had the great pleasure to talk to James Snyder, one of PMI Founders!
He is a very interesting man, with so much knowledge, and wisdom, and he has also a lot of humour
That's all for today, see you tomorrow!
