People and Projects

We all know a pushy person. The one who follows up… then follows up on the follow-ups, then circles back in case you missed the first two. They’re the ones who keep reminding you to do things you’re not ready to do. And when you tell them you’re not ready, they’re back the next day…

What are the things that your gut tells you? That you’re hungry, or you have an upset stomach? Or that you’re nervous? But what about the quieter signals, the subtle nudges that seem to come from somewhere deeper? The feeling that something is not quite right, or the sense that you need to lean in…

I recently learned that one of my earliest project management mentors has passed away. Fred was in his early 90s, and his life was filled with fascinating work, bold projects, and adventures that could fill volumes. But what I will remember most is not his resume. It is the steady presence he offered me over…

A few weeks ago, someone popped back into my life completely out of the blue. This was a person who meant a lot to me and who helped me through a pretty rough time. They were the one that helped me sort through things when my head was spinning. In a lot of ways, they…

I once knew a demolition project manager whose job was to bring buildings down safely in the middle of busy cities.  This is not the kind of work where you can afford to hit snooze. You have to be sharp. He used to admit that he would become so absorbed in planning details that he…

“Every single day, you are actively sabotaging your wellness, your performance and your relationships.” Shirzad Chamine, Author Pretty strong words, right? But many of us are sabotaging ourselves without even realizing it. Why? Because instead of running our own minds, we let our minds run us. I often have a little voice in my head…

Every project team has its cast of characters. Some are quiet thinkers, others are natural cheerleaders, a few can switch personalities depending on the day, and at least one person seems to love poking holes in every idea. The fun part is when you stop seeing those differences as clashes and start seeing them as…

I once had a colleague who was always contrary in team meetings. She would constantly bring up potential problems and issues with whatever we talked about.  Yet, she did it with a smile and a mischievous glint in her eye.  At first I thought she just liked being difficult, but over time I realized she…

Over this past weekend, my city hosted more than 175 live music acts. How’s anyone supposed to choose? We finally picked one of the bands playing an acoustic set. But instead of just relaxing and enjoying the music, I strangely found myself studying how they worked together on stage. The soloist took the lead, and…

Today, we’re talking about people. And how much they actually talk… or don’t talk at all. Who’s doing most of the talking in your work meetings? And at home, who can’t stop chatting at the dinner table?   What about that quiet observer who is watching everything unfold without saying much? Then there are those who…