Project Management
Who's Shaking Your Snow Globe ?
By Michelle LaBrosse
When I think about what's happening in the world right now, it reminds me of those snow globes that I had as a kid. The world is calm and serene in the little village until someone shakes the snow globe, and then in an instant the world changes.
There are two ways to handle change. One way is to keep doing what you were doing and ignore the change that is happening. The other way is to forget about the old way of doing things, embrace the snow and set up some new rules for your wintry world.
Let's take a look at some of the old rules that have defined many of us over the last decade, and new rules that can bring us forward. Then, we'll look at our role as Project Managers in creating value in any environment -- serene or shaken.
Old Rules
The old rules focused on getting ahead with "OPM" -- other people's money, and winning was defined by "stuff." Whoever has most toys wins. Like a Ponzi scheme, this is a short-term game that doesn't build long-term value or happiness.
New Rules
I'd like to propose some new rules that will let us all move forward, begin thinking in new ways and create value for ourselves and those around us.
Super Hero or Just a Good Project Manager?
When the snow globe has been shaken, who are the most valuable people to have on your team? It's people who know how to get things done, talk the frantic folks down out of the tree and get the team moving again on a new terrain. Sound familiar? That person is probably you. While you may not wear a leotard into work with a big PM on your chest, people will see you as a Super Hero if you can bring some of the new rules into being.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How can I create more value for other people, FAST?
- How can I reduce or eliminate risks (including cost overruns) on my projects?
- How can I better leverage my skills to create more value for others?
- How can I find the opportunities that are best for me?
- Are the goals and commitments I had in the past right for me now?
- How can I help people on my team and in my family become more successful?
- How can I be healthier, so I'm operating at my best?
- How can I be the project manager and team member who succeeds while helping others to succeed?
Answer these questions and ease on the down the road with your new set of rules. Then, when the world gets shaken, you're ready to go.
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Chief Cheetah Podcast Is Yours for the Downloading
Want to hear what Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, and Chief Cheetah has to say about the old rules versus the new rules? Download our podcast at http://podcast.cheetahlearning.com/podcastgen/ and hear the words straight from the Cheetah's mouth.
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About the Know How Network and Cheetah Learning
Copyright (c) 2009, Cheetah Learning. The Know How Network monthly column is written by Michelle LaBrosse and distributed to hundreds of media outlets around the world. Visit www.cheetahlearning.com for more information. You can also get your career in gear with CheetahWare, free Project Management tools from Cheetah Learning.
About the Author
Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, is founder and Chief Cheetah of Cheetah Learning and author of Cheetah Negotiations and Cheetah Project Management. The Project Management Institute selected Michelle as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the World and one of only two women from the training and education industry.
Cheetah Learning is a virtual company and has 100 employees, contractors, and licensees worldwide. Michelle has run her company virtually for the past 20 years, growing it 100-fold in the past 20 years. She credits her success to using Cheetah's Project Management method to better manage people and technology, and has made it fast, easy and fun for more than 30,000 people to learn and do Project Management.
