Ethical and People Issues

Over the last few days this week, I described three scenarios and the difficult decisions Project Managers made in each of the three.  In the first, the desire for more responsibility might bery well have led to less effectiveness. (more…)

Scenario #3 - No thanks, I want to do a good job here

Patal Fray was Project Manager of a very big and important project for his firm.  He was very proud to have been given this assignment and assured his VP that he would bring it in successfully, on time, if not ahead of time. (more…)

Prejudice - pre-judge

When we think about prejudice, we think about age, sex, race, religion, etc.  But what about yoru reaction and pre-judgments of people whose style is different from your own?  (This is from my February newsletter - ArLyne) (more…)

To tell or not to tell, that is the question

Hi, this is ArLyne Diamond, Ph.D. again.  Here’s the second in my series of scenarios:

While conducting management training for a group of managers at XYZ Corp. they had a change in upper management and the new management was trying to trim costs.  One of the managers consulting with me, let’s call her Sandra, was scared.  The project that she had been managing for several years, was an event that occured quarterly and was very costly.  She had determined some time ago that the event was not providing XYZ with any benefits.  She was afraid that her new CEO would find it out and she’d be fired.

I asked Sandra why she didn’t report her findings and suggest a more profitable project in its stead.  She, and some of her fellow colleagues, all rushed to tell me that this was not a prudent thing to do.  She didn’t want to lose her job.  Her co-managers liked her and didn’t want to see her harmed either, so they supported her decision to “lie by omission.” (more…)

Convincing Purchasing that your project comes first

Hi, This is ArLyne Diamond again (www.DiamondAssociates.net)  I am ths week’s guest blogger, and I think this is my third or fourth time to do so.  BUT, I don’t see my name on the list of guest bloggers - oh well…. Here;’s my blog for today:

Scenario I:

Jose Bive was Project Manater of three very improtant projects, each having tight deadlines and he was in a spot.  He wanted to succeed because he beleived that success in all three was the key to the promotion and raise he coveted.  But, he was completely over-worked and exhausted.

Luca Carlisle was driving him crazy.  She was an important performer on Poejct #2 and yet she constantly came to him complaining about the lack of cooperation she was receiving from the purchasing department.  No matter how often she remindd them that she needed parts in order to complete her portion of the project, they “shined her one” telling her she ws in the queue and would get her parts when her turn came.

Jose’s response was to tell Luca to “use your charm” and “stop bugging me”.  He warned her that it was her responsibility not his to make sure she got what she needed from others in the organization.

Wait for tomorrow for Scenario II. 

The POO Code, Chapter Six

Much as he did earlier in his career, Proman was now at another crossroad. The large program had just concluded. What’s next? He noticed how engaged he’d felt during the process. Each day he threw himself into the proceedings with renewed vigor and seemed to know instinctively what to do. People looked to him for direction, even people smarter than he was and higher up in the organization. Sure there were many moments when he felt like he wanted to strangle someone who would not cooperate. But even these moments challenged him to reach inside himself for an appropriate response and get a positive reaction. A number of previous assignments had a similar pattern. (more…)

The POO Code, Chapter Five

The applause was thundering as the magician completed his performance. Proman A. Jecgert had hired the magician to help celebrate the completion of what would come to be called Phase One. The party included all participants across the organization. The grove in the trees was a perfect setting, and the sun shone brightly. Proman smiled in satisfaction about his meeting with the magician before hand. They tailored the presentation to make it fun and memorable. (more…)