"These are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood ." -Bob and the Muppets. I grew up watching Sesame Street. I loved the segment that explained careers and the muppets, and usually Bob would sing a catchy song...
Keeping Our Focus on The Main Thing
I always have a long to-do list. I imagine you do, too. I have a long list for home, my kids, for nonprofits I support, for building my business, for supporting each customer, etc. So even though I give the advice, focus on the main thing. I often get irritated with...
Agile Elements Keep a Project Moving
Shift happens. Shift happens everywhere. The world around us changes so quickly. Family. Politics. The environment. Business. It's naive to think that things will happen exactly as we plan them. We only fool and frustrate ourselves when we get bent out of shape...
Decisions Require Action
"Never leave the scene of a decision without taking an action."-Tony Robbins I'm a serial decision maker. I take a special joy in making grandiose proclamations about my new life choices. For me, these decisions are usually related to drastic eating changes and how...
Lean for Project Managers
I have been learning and practicing Lean and Six Sigma for the past 18 years, and it's been an awesome journey. This journey has allowed me to learn and think about work and processes from a customer’s perspective. I studied engineering as an undergrad and business as...
How Your Ego Can Get in the Way of Your Success
Many moons ago when I was a newly-minted project manager, I had a peer approach me after a meeting I had led. This peer asked me if I was open to feedback. To be honest, I use the term “peer” rather loosely. He was about 20 years my senior, had done a stint in the...
Try New Things. People Aren’t Sitting Around Thinking About You!
Just try it. No one is watching. No one is thinking about you. They are busy thinking about themselves; they’re thinking that you are watching them. You can either see this as encouraging or sad. Here is why I'm choosing encouragement: Most of the things I delay on...
Why Is Training Essential?
Have you ever had to do a Microsoft Excel VLookUp Table? Whenever I have to create a VLookUp Table, it takes me a moment to shift my mindset to get it done. It's not always an easy task for someone like me that first saw personal computers in college. When I finish,...
Intentional Organizational Training
Learning and development play an essential role in an organization’s success. However, a recent study conducted by the Sitel Group found that 35 percent of employees believed their employers did not understand their skill sets and areas that they need development in,...