Susanne Madsen

Project Management Leadership - Are we too busy with the urgent to focus on the

important?

Susanne Madsen

§ 17+ years experience as a project and programme manager

§ Managed programmes of up to $30m

§ PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner

§ Corporate and Executive Coach

§ Trainer, Speaker, Consultant

§ Published book “The Project Management Coaching Workbook – Six Steps to Unleashing Your Potential”

Management Leadership

Leadership Management

§  Task-oriented §  Skills-based §  Events and processes §  Methods, calculations §  Authority §  Rational thinking §  Knows it all §  Tell §  Push

§  People-oriented §  Attitude and behaviour §  Visionary §  Inspirational §  Motivational §  Values others §  Empowers others §  Ask §  Pull

III IV

II I

PEOPLE FOCUSLeading through peopleInspire people to follow

Pull

TASK FOCUSLeading through tasks

Authority basedPush

PRO-ACTIVEFocus on the project's strategic vision

REACTIVEFocus on immediate issues

Pro-active task management- Risk management- Planning- Quality Assurance

Pro-active people management- Relationship building- Leading and motivating the team- Proving vision and direction

Reactive task management- Urgent issue resolution- Defect handling- Fire-fighting

Reactive people management- Interpersonal conflict- People management issues

The Project Leadership Matrix™

Project Leadership

x

The VIP Model™

§ Lead with Vision

§ Work with Intent

§ Connect with People

Lead with Vision – how to do it?

§  Understand your client’s business

§  Focus on needs rather than wants

§  Co-own the business case

§  Consider tactical AND strategic drivers

§  Continuously improve and innovate

§  Dare to stand out and take risks

§  Ask: What if?

The Time Management Triangle™

2. Firefighting

Crisis Deadlines Urgent Issues Urgent Queries Interpersonal Conflict-

3. Time Wasting

InterruptionsTriviaUnimportant MailUnimportant CallsTime Wasting Activities

1. Proactive Planning Risk Mitigation Project Definition Relationship Building Challenging Status Quo Project Controls & ReviewsBig picture view; setting the vision

Work with Intent – how to do it?

§  Eat that Frog!

§  Learn to say “No”

§  Start your day with 90 minutes of clear focus!

§  Check email less frequently

§  Am I inventing things to do to avoid the important?

§  Am I being productive or just active?

§  Eliminate time waste, interruptions and multitasking

§  Use Pareto’s Principle (the 80/20 rule)

§  Delegate; train others to take on more responsibility

Success without Stress

§  Time management – focus on the important

§  Accept that you cannot know it all or do it all

§  Delegate and trust others to provide the solution

§  Ask for help when needed

§  Meditate and centre yourself (quiet time)

A Typical Story... How Project Management Coaching Helped Lisa

§ Felt overwhelmed; worked long hours; didn’t feel in control; had no-one to delegate to; couldn’t say “no”.

§ Started training and delegating to others and focusing on the 20% that added to 80% of her results.

§ Put emphasis on project planning, risk mitigation, team leading and stakeholder management.

§ As a result, projects are successfully delivered on time.

§ Leaves the office at 6pm and feels more fulfilled and happy.

Connect with People – how to do it?

§  Prioritise people – also those who work remotely!

§  Schedule one-2-one meetings for their benefit

§  Find out what they like most/least about their job

§  Involve people in the decisions that affect them

§  Ask questions – don’t just tell people what to do!

§  Praise people for a job well done!

Power and Influence Matrix

Allies

High

Low

Low High

Power and Influence

Supportiveness

Opponents

Walk into the lion’s cage!

Managing senior stakeholders

§ It is your responsibility to ensure your communication is understood

§ Spend time getting to know each stakeholder

§ Ask questions and listen

§ Be honest!

§ Partner with them and communicate in a way which suits them

1.  How can I better lead with Vision?

2.  How can I spend my time more proactively?

3.  How can I better inspire my team to contribute?

4.  What are the 20% that contribute to 80% of my results?

5.  Which important activities have I been putting off?

6.  Who do I need to spend more time with?

7.  What if..?

Ask Insightful Questions

Are you ready to expand your comfort zone

X

X

X

Ask for Feedback! §  Ask three questions

1.  What should I stop doing?

2.  What should I start doing?

3.  What should I continue to do?

§  Ask your main client or stakeholder

1.  What are you concerned about?

2.  How would you like me to keep you updated?

§  Ask your team

1.  How can I better support and challenge you?

FREE Access to Project Management Resources

To get FREE access please go to www.susannemadsen.com and register your interest

§ Get access to my personal project management resources

§ Templates, Worksheets, Webinars, and links to the best project management forums

§ Risks & Issues log, Project Initiation Document, Steering Committee Presentation etc.

Connect with Susanne

www.susannemadsen.com Twitter @SusanneMadsen

Connect on LinkedIn

By: Susanne Madsen ©2012, 8.5” x 11” softcover, 236 pages

Available on Amazon and on Kindle.

The Power of Project Leadership – out soon!

©2014. Kogan Page

“Susanne's  book  clearly  demonstrates  the  insights  and  tools  to  become  an  inspira8onal  leader.  Highly  recommended.  All  my  team  have  a  copy.  I'm  that  confident  of  the  effect  it  will  have  on  my  business.”    Paul  Daniels,  Managing  Director,  Leadership  and  Management  Ltd.