Servant Leadership: Serve to Be Great

I have a confession to make. I often have too much information to share and I end up losing the audience because I have way too many points to make. So, for this group blog space, I decided to limit myself to two topics per blog and I hope you will not miss my 2nd one because of its length.

First, I recently attended last week’s PMXPO and was very impressed and inspired by Robbie Bach’s presentation on “The Xbox Story: Insights on Strategy, Innovation and Intrapreneurship”. These insights help us with developing the critical Leadership, Business and Strategic Management skills that help all initiatives be successful and align projects with organization mission and strategy. I sincerely hope that you will have the opportunity to sign up to 2016 PMXPO On Demand (available until July 28th) to witness this for yourself and take action! Above all, extraordinary people put what they learn into practice and change the game. Imagine a world full of extraordinary people who excel at project management skills and bring positive results!

My second point is long overdue. In the cosmos of the universe, I know life is short and unpredictable, but I never imagined what you will read about below happening the way it did. You will have to read the email stream below to fully understand what I mean and how I feel.  

I can only hope we each have a “Eugene” within us at all times, live our lives to the fullest everyday with enthusiasm, face challenges with courage and wisdom. Let’s treasure every moment in life, continue to do what we believe in, serve the communities that share the same passion and drive, follow our hearts to make things happen, caring and be effective, improve the success rates and positively contribute to a better world every day!  

This Chinese song asks a question that makes us ponder: if tomorrow marks the beginning of our next life, how would you spend today? 

In memory and in honor of Eugene, I share below communications with you:

On Wed, Dec 16, 2015 at 4:48 PM, Vic and Maura Musolino wrote:
 

Dear Suzan,

I am writing to introduce myself to you as Eugene's father.

Recently, I received a note from Eugene sharing his involvement with the last PMI Roundtable session held on December 1st, which he was particularly pleased and proud.

Sadly, I have to let you know Eugene has passed away suddenly in NYC.

If you are willing and prepared, his family would be most grateful to have further communication with you in honour of Eugene.

Kind Regards
Vic Musolino 
 

From: Vic Musolino

Date: Thu, Dec 17, 2015 at 12:26 AM

Subject: Re: Eugene's email: PMINYC Executive/PMO Director Roundtable (Dec 1 noon, midtown)

To: Suzan Cho

Thank you - you are kind Suzan.

Yes, you have my permission to share with others what you feel will stand in Eugene's honor.

Regards

Vic Musolino

From: Suzan Cho 
Date: Thu, Dec 17, 2015 at 12:15 AM
Subject: Eugene's email: PMINYC Executive/PMO Director Roundtable (Dec 1 noon, midtown)

Dear Mr. Musolino,

I am so shocked to learn about Eugene's passing. He was so young! I wish there was more we could do to help. 

You will witness his passion first hand below. With your permission, I will also share with PMI-NYC members a story you and your family create. 

I know Eugene will inspire many aspiring project managers. I only knew Eugene for a couple of hours, but his passion and drive was evident and contagious. The world is better because of him! I know you will be most proud. 

Best always,

Suzan

From: Eugene Musolino
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Subject: Confirmation: PMINYC Executive/PMO Director Roundtable (Dec 1 noon, midtown)
To: Suzan Cho

Suzan,

I left this morning very impressed; particularly by the expertise amongst the folks you drew into a meaningful and insightful dialogue that I hope to see growing under the collective leadership of all involved, led by your team. 

I'm glad I decided to make it, having been in transit for 38hrs - many thanks for being so accommodating.

I intended to copy the group but thought wiser on account of jet lag.

I think the openness of our brief chat today sits nicely with the 'Body of Knowledge' principle that attracted me to PMI years ago and use every day, whilst linking projects to a Co.'s strategy.

One of the things that struck me listening to the group was a genuine desire to grow organizational performance via alignment of results/outcome driven capabilities (incl. creation of an engaging perception - "a sexy / appropriate term for the PMO tailored to the environment). I imagine many PM's experience some of these challenges. I've had a PMO fail because of this.

I recall one gentlemen years ago sharing one such reason for his PMO demise being simply that it worked very well, which is a similar challenge I had many PM's share with me often using the analogy of a football umpire (i.e a good performance often goes unnoticed, as there is a tendency for the decision making folks (typically holding the purse) new to the art/science of PM to feel that (the Project) would have been a success anyway. Sometimes even validating the cost /staff reduction in this area.

A take away from the presentation slides regarding the success % of projects for me has been improved by the typical things such as effective execution via high visibility amongst stakeholders and strong sponsorship (COO/CFO/CEO). In my opinion, an effective PMO is a machine that grows confidence in the eyes of the Directors, allowing them to confidently 'push the buttons' necessary for driving company performance, regardless of market challenges, M & A's, complex regulatory requirements .. 

looking forward to hearing others thoughts and having my thoughts challenged in a group forum.

Thanks all & All the best with your challenges ahead.

Sincerely,

Eugene

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday season: Happy Seoul Lantern Festival, Happy Diwali, Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Chinese Lantern Festival! It is amazing to celebrate the festival of candles/lights around the world in the months of Nov thru Feb!!

Recently I have been thinking about how to convey the concept and philosophy about servant leadership to the millennial, a generation both of my kids belong to. So, I thought about sharing real life stories.

I have always been fascinated with great storytellers because I feel the world has incredible people, projects, places and stories throughout history! Before I learn how to tell a good story, I would like to share the real life stories from amazing Benjamin Zander and Adam Leipzig.

They are awesome leaders who are best listeners, persuasive, extraordinary, and passionate. They are masters in their chosen fields and they exhibit extraordinary servant leadership qualities!! They light up people’s lives.

Benjamin Zander: Work (how to get an A)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTKEBygQic0

Maestro Zander is famous for his pre-concert talks, his master classes and his leadership. Zander leads the Boston Philharmonic and its Youth Orchestra and he often transforms his students magically on stage. He teaches students to be aware (working on the bar, instead of the notes). He gives an A to all his students (the relationship transforms when the students lives up to their own imagination). He builds communities. He has the foresight and the vision of the great composers. He constantly challenges musicians to dream great dreams and deliver breath-taking performances. Zander gives imaginative ideas for the orchestra to outperform.

I love the fact he encourages students to celebrate when a mistake is made – he pulls the spirit up and says “how fascinating!” He explains the growth mindset and the importance of vision.

An orchestra changes with the different conductors working on them. The conductor does not make a sound. He depends his power when he makes other people powerful. He awakens other people’s possibilities.Shining, sparkling and dazzled eyes are indicators. It’s a totally different world!

Adam Leipzing: Seeing beyond the Horizon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27DEFWa7VY0&feature=youtu.be

Leipzing teaches us to listen to the audience/clients (and use the science to hear audience and listen with "big ears"), to be outward facing (it’s about you and stewardship), to strive for excellence (to be persistent), to have a vision to see beyond the horizon, find the path forward and align the organization to lead hugely successful entertainment projects. I hope you find lots of values from the powerful stories he tells. You will never look at the penguins the same way :-)

What fabulous examples of outstanding servant leaders who heal people, bring out people’s potential and greatest work. Imagine the infinite possibilities when we have more servant leaders at their best! The world would be a beautiful and fantastic place.

I believe we are all leaders in our lives, as everything is relative in the universe. Leaders take initiatives and require no title. My experience has been that the servant leadership philosophy is integral and works well with different leadership styles. In my search, I realized it is critical for us to be connected to a trusting, supporting community in order to grow and continue to explore.

To be heard, and more importantly, to actively listen are keys to leading effectively as everyone has values to contribute. Servant leadership focuses on the big picture, work collaboratively and act in the benefit of others. If all the people we serve become better persons as a result, then we are leaders.

Life is a collection of special moments that shape our experiences. By virtue of action or inaction, the truth is that leadership is part of the problem/puzzle or success. I long for the nexus effect and have high hope that if we try, we will create synergies that connect multiple groups to the center of the matter for meaningful and memorable experiences in life.

I am very grateful to be part of this global project management community. I am an active volunteer with PMI because I believe in the project management impact for the world. Project/Program/Portfolio Leadership and Management are core competencies that have a positive influence on the business results and society.

Servant Leadership is a lifelong journey that will take us on incredible adventures. In the spirit of sharing, I invite you to explore the links below in case you have not come across these excellent resources.  Please join us in the servant leadership journey! Namaste.

Focus on Servant Leadership

http://www.slideshare.net/trisetyawati/servant-leadership-1759355

Lead Humbly – The Path of Servant Leadership, by Lindy Ryan

http://www.slideshare.net/thumbelindy/lead-humbly-the-path-of-servant-leadership-28089696

P.S. Hearty congratulations to my fellow PMI 2015 LIMC Graduates!! It’s been such a wonderful gift and special blessing to be part of this fantastic community in the awesome yearlong leadership master class journey! Thanks so much for all your strong support and inspiration!!