Leadership Traits

5 Pillars of Leadership

1.  Integrity

2.  Vision

3.  Accountability responsibility

4.  Trust

5.  Professional competence

       Cmdr Kirk Lippold 10/03/14

Documentation, how much?

The never ending battle --- How much documentation should we produce? If you have deep methodologies, or extended, i.e., "mature" (??) practices, you are almost always bound by extensive documentation mandates.  This is further complicated by contracts, audit requirements such as SarBox, and some maturity models, such as CMMI and OPM3.

But fortunately, the tide is beginning to turn.  Newer methods and frameworks are lessening the demand.   Concepts like Lean and Agile are breaking the mold on the definition of necessary, frequency, size and content.   None are proposing abandonment, but rather rethink, and minimization.

The challenge, though, is how to change the minds of those governing bodies, management, process ingrained staff members.  Is this change managment?  How do we even begin?  I for one, am definitely in favor of documentation reduction.  I have seen extensive efforts, and along with that, large costs, spent, fully for the sake of producing a document that solely sits on a shelf, figuratively, phsically, or electronically.

Here is a link to another article of similar nature:  http://pmtips.net/documentation/

Values and Principles

I've always been one that takes certain principles and values seriously.  Things like honesty, morals, ethics, always bring a certain sense of solid dependable character in a person.  While we all have weaknesses, and sometimes we make excuses for occasional lapses, those who keep a high standard are continually valued and respected by others.

How we rate ourselves objectively is key.  How we tolerate situations of weakness of others is another battle.  A few of the latter situations come to mind:  a situation where a management individual was determined to find ways to berate and belittle any manager or staff, inside or outside of reporting structure, who was not in alignment with her power seeking needs;  a individual who dominated every conversation; a staff individual who was determined to cut every one else's ideas down; another individual who continually showed up late for work, not appear to do any work, and would dependably disappear when the boss was away from the office; one acting manager - lead who would instead of working and growing his team, would rather spend his time socializing with those who he believed were people of corporate influence.

While these situations agitate us, how we respond defines ourselves. About the time of one of these situations I happened to purchase a special framed photographic work which I enjoyed.  Underneath was the caption: The Courage of Integrity.  It hung on the wall directly across from my desk where I could see it at all times as a reminder.

Here is another article or a related subject:  THE DECISION TO BE MORAL

An unusual benefit to a webinar

I watched a previously recorded webinar today for reasons of continued educational credit to maintain a professional certification (project management - PMP).   Ironically 3/4 through the presentation I happened to note the sound of a vibrating cell phone in the background.  LOL.  While I had a unplanned chuckle of that, it would always be advisable to validate your entire environment when giving a presentation to ensure professionalism and your integrity.

Getting back in the groove

A few weeks ago a friend and former colleague noted that I haven't been posting much on my blog here.  A gentle reminder, thanks RM, that caused me to regroup and think about what I wanted to accomplish.  So,  what better way to (re)start than with a little professional "music".  Thanks JW for the link..   For all of you project managers, check out Frank S.

Twitter favorites usage

I use the twitter #favorite - star to flag tweets  for follow-up, read later.   Anyone do the same?

Motivation is....

“Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes.” – Benjamin Franklin

Nonsense & follow-up sales of extended service contrats

This morning I received a phone call from a major computer hardware provider.   They were reminding me that the service contract on my equipment (original warranty, multi-year) was about to expire.   Did I want to purchase an extension?   I *distinctly* said no, and was able to end the conversation quickly.

Ironically though, only minutes later, I received an email from them, reaffirming their offer that I was interested in (I was?  I don't remember that), a price quote (we never got that far on the phone) with instructions to complete the transaction.    Not only was the email insulting, the price was silly for a product that was already multiple years old! 

One good way to lose a customer!

revisiting social media revolution video

While experimenting with G+ thought it was appropriate to revisit this video.


Social Media Revolution 2

tangled cords

I always keep one spare set of ear buds in a drawer in the end table next to my favorite reading chair.  Great for a quick grab when wanting to listen to something quickly on my laptop and not disturb my wife.  

However,......   it never fails to amaze me that the cord is always tangled and takes several minutes to resolve before using.     Does anyone else have this problem?

Change the structure of State University education NOW

Finally, some dramatic thoughts about education -- outside the box thinking.  Today's opinion section of the Des Moines Register has an opinion piece --  the key foundation of the discussion plays attention to restructuring the governance & funding of state universities in Iowa.  Costs of education have gotten ridiculous, and we continue to  allow the problem to continue to grow and manifest. Many good ideas noted.       Sunday opinion: Gartner says Iowa's state universities need to change quickly

Stuff,Stuff,Stuff.... I might just need it some day....

Are you a pack rat like me?   Confessions are good for the soul they say.    I think the challenge I have is trying to break the habit of keeping "stuff", 'cause I may need it tomorrow, or next month, or ....

The past year I have gone through a change -- by accomplishing various levels of focus upon PURGING.    Mainly paper, (I have numerous filing cabinets).   I must say I have made major strides in the cleansing process.   However, efforts have been sidelined, and Stuff is starting to accumulate again.   

One area that I have not looked into yet is electronic Stuff.   My goodness, I have tons of PC files that have not been touched for years / been copied over from old PC to new PC to newer PC. 

While I have not done any cleansing electonically, I have successfully developed a new strategy on emails -- I create my own trash can FILE (I don't trust the system generated one).   Unless I MUST keep it for some reason, after being read it goes to MY-Trash-Can.  Every few weeks I purge everything except the last few days.  At least I can recover something trashed if I threw it away yesterday.

Here is another similar article Usless-career-stuff-you-might-be-holding-onto

Work-life balance or Work-Work

A friend and former colleague told me this story.   He was invited to a work-life balance meeting by his HR department.   However, the meeting was scheduled over a normal lunch hour period.   Work-life (?) or Work-Work?   (The latter is his new label).    Does this make sense?

Thanks Eli

The man of Theory of Constraints (TOC) has made his mark, and now has left this world with a great legacy.  I became a believer of TOC thanks to his effort and work.  Enjoyed reading his books.

Thanks Eliyahu Goldratt !!

motivation,by a little one

Pay attention to this little guy.  Believe in yourself,  and Rock and Roll.



Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!

A quote of something to think about. R U sure you understand?

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”   - unknown.

Book Review: Social Media for Project Managers

A book review: Social Media for Project Managers by Elizabeth Harrin

   The title of this book could easily find strong resistence by the traditional project manager.   He/she might say that it would be a conflict of traditional definitions, hard fixed expectations and deliverables controlled by a project manager.   However, that already is not the case.  Just consider enviornmental factors that have been in place for years, such as email and virtual conference status calls.  Elizabeth Harrin notes those very factors as a basis for her intial discussions in her book.

I am a strong proponent of moving beyond the ways of yesterday.  I was very curious of what the author would bring forward that to the novice, new to the experienced, and most importantly how the subject would cross into the hallowed halls project management.  She did very well covering a gambit of topics.  We are at the beginning of a new era, and a loose term is becoming much more prevalent - Project Management 2.0.  Much of the book touches upon tools and concepts that are already well recognized in many varied ways, such as blogging and collaboration.  However, the author does a great job of placing a proper perspective acknowledging key and sometimes critical corporate business concerns such as costs, security, legal, configuration, transistioning, ongoing maintenance, privacy, and professionalism.   These are all extremely important factors that are overlooked and / or not understood by the individual sitting in the privicy of his home, twittering and blogging away, or the stand-alone independent project manager who does not have the understanding nor exposure of the bigger picture of business operations.  Unfortunately, these become somewhat dry topics, and as a result some the book reading is slow. 

I commend the author, who is a well recognized blogger, on a healthy book.  I believe project management personnel who have the ability to break the mold of tradition should give this book a try.  This is not a book on how to be a blogger, nor should it be.  There is value from the novice, to the indvidual who thinks he already knows it all. 

A clean desk

How clean is your desk and office?   Are you presenting a a healthy image to visitors?  Are you well organized or is there too much clutter and junk?  

Several weeks ago new employment at a new employer allowed me to rethink how I manage my workspace.  A started with a few foundational approaches.   Minimal hardcopy dependency and retention was the 1st rule implemented.  This was difficult for me as I am a pack rat who thinks there is a need to have a hard record of everything.   

A second approach to pursue was a combination of minimal stuff on the desk throughout the day and a clean desk at the end of the day when I go home.   I implemented this approach about 20 years ago upon a job promotion and new office at that time.  Good organization of manila folders and hanging folders are key.  At the end of the day, everything on the desk is cleansed and placed away.  There are a few special color hanging folders at the front of the desk drawer that reflect current activities or projects.

The last and yet most important factor is my To-Do list management.   I have a very small, thin portfolio sporting a writing tablet where I manage my daily prioritized To-Do activities and very quick notes.  While I have tried technology solutions like desktop tools (or PDAs in the past), they don't always fit well within corporate rules and boundaries, and are not always as accessable, portable and quickly usable as one would wish.   I also exploit my Microsoft Outlook - extensive use of folders, categories, Notes and Tasks functions.   As an example I have a 'standing' Note in Outlook where I capture notes and thoughts throughout the week to add to an agenda for a weekly project status meeting.

Here is another article for your review on this topic:  Does Your Desk Tell Secrets About You?

How many tweets ..... Come on.....

How many tweets?   How many tweets show you have value or something meaningful to say?

While I may not be a big tweeter I look for value, not volume, when I look at potential people to follow. It is amazing to note how often some people tweet. I recently saw an individual who had 38000+ tweets!!!! Yes, you read that right. Come on, really... don't you have anything better in your life? I have seen one individual who did nothing but post inspirational thoughts pertaining to a specific profession. While that may be good in intention, it becomes bad once they become recycled within 10 days or so. Come on, don't you have a better way to contribute than that? I have seen several people totally facinated by posting via 4Square every 5 minutes. Come on, are you totally addicted to technology, .... I hope you are enjoying it -- maybe I am missing the point there. ..... Then there are those who are doing providing nothing more than transposing their own, or their corporate advertising. And then there are a few people who post meaningless messages -- they remind me of people who you meet who just love to hear themselves talk. Of course I am not perfect either, but I am not sure about some of this.

Courage

Courage.   Whenever that word is breathed one automatically builds an image of strength and other personnaly motivated factors.

It is often related to internal strengths to utilize and exploit, and hopefuly overcome professional or personal challenges often of size and importance. 

Sometimes we weaken to the opposite forces.  Hopefully not to often.

In my last office I had a great motivational picture hanging on the wall.   It was an interesting picture but the caption underneath was just as important, talking about integrity and courage.   It hung on the wall directly across from my desk.  A great motivator throughout the day.

Here is an interesting article on courage.    Courage to Lead in Uncertain Times