Establish a Project Lending Library on Your Project

One of the best, long term value-added actions you can take for your project team is to establish a project lending library.  This will help to foster an interest in management, leadership and personal development. I’m not talking about a library for filing the documentation developed during the project. That type of library is required and I will discuss it in a later post. What I am talking about here is a library containing books, audio tapes, videos, CDs and DVDs dedicated to helping your team members become better managers, leaders and people. I’m talking about messages from some of the greatest speakers and authors in the modern world.

When I suggest to members of my project team and to those who attend my speeches and seminars specific books they should read, some of them sometimes use an excuse that they are so busy they don’t have time to read. In fact, one person who used to work with me seemed to be very proud that he had not read a book since he was in school about 25 years before. Some people! Well, with audio tapes, and compact discs all they have to do now is listen. They can do this at the same time they are doing other things like commuting. Zig Ziglar, who was one of the world’s greatest motivational speakers and a man that truly inspired me, suggests that you turn your car into Automobile University. Instead of listening to the news or music, listen to something that’s going to help you become a better person.

Most truly successful people will tell you that one of the keys to their success is that they are constantly learning. They read, listen and look at things that will help them learn new things and become better at what they do.

I believe in this Killer Idea so much that at my speeches and seminars I sometimes give away products from some of the speakers and authors that I recommend. People such as Napoleon Hill, Zig Ziglar, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Jim Rohn, Stephen Covey, Jeffrey Gitomer, Larry Winget, Mark Sanborn and Keith Harrell. Once you start on this path, I know that you will find others that excite you and you will want to add them to your ‘read list’.

Enjoy the Journey!

Richard

Richard Morreale is a consultant, professional speaker, trainer, coach and author in Strategic Planning and Implementation, Business and Culture Change and Project and Program Management. For more information, contact Richard at 336 322 1320 or Richard@richardmorreale.com  To view his Project Management Products go to www.richardmorreale.com/shop/. To download Richard’s free 33 page e- book, 10.5 Top Reasons Projects are Unsuccessful go to www.richardmorreale.com.

Project Managers, Lighten Up!

There are certain characteristics that I believe a person should have to be a truly great Project Manager. Certainly, a Project Manager must have the ‘hard skills’ associated with planning, organising, monitoring and controlling . In addition, however, the Project Manager should also have ‘soft skills’ that include enthusiasm, energy, commitment to excellence and success, self-motivation, the ability to motivate the Team, great interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, honesty, openness and a really good sense of humour. That’s right – a really good sense of humour.

I was leading a seminar once with attendees from all over the world and by the time I listed these characteristics along with a few others on the flip chart one of the attendees, a beautiful lady from Italy said, “If you find a man like that I’ll marry him”. I replied that if I found a man like that, I’d marry him although my wife and children would probably have something to say about it.

At any rate, I believe it is the Project Managers responsibility to establish an environment where project team members can laugh and enjoy themselves. Don’t  take yourself too seriously. If someone is going to be the butt of a joke make it you.

What we are delivering to the client is important and very serious, and we should recognise that, but I also know that with a light atmosphere in place on the project we have a much better chance of delivering the project successfully.

So, lighten up, enjoy yourself, make sure the Team members are enjoying themselves and never, that’s right,  never take yourself too seriously. Have a great time!

Richard Morreale is a consultant, professional speaker, trainer, coach and author in Strategic Planning and Implementation, Business and Culture Change and Project and Program Management. For more information, contact Richard at 336 322 1320 or Richard@richardmorreale.com  To view his Project Management Products go to www.richardmorreale.com/shop/. To download Richard’s free 33 page e- book, 10.5 Top Reasons Projects are Unsuccessful go to www.richardmorreale.com.