Blog Posts
We all have those common phrases, adages, and sayings that we rush to use in our daily lives. Those comfortable and comforting little sentences that get dragged out over and over. For those who know me well you’ll appreciate the irony in me making this claim in the title here. I’m one of those people…
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Each day I see more and more examples of people reaching out for hope. Hope that the next thing they read will be the silver bullet that fixes everything. Hope that the next piece of paper they pick up will solve all of their problems. I ask you this. If I write the words “Winning…
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You’ve invested time, money, and probably considerable emotional angst in completing the project. Everyone breathes a big sigh of relief. The project is over. As the executive, you’re now ready to see those benefits roll in! Those benefits you promised the board, your stakeholders, your peers. Time marches on. The worry sets in. You’ve costs…
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I, and many of my colleagues, typically work in contract roles. Whether in private or government industries, we are usually paid for our services on an either daily or hourly rate. There is an view amongst many employees that we work alongside, and unfortunately many in procurement also, that the rate we are paid is…
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Ok. I know this may sound crazy. Aren’t we supposed to celebrate success? Isn’t that what all the management textbooks say? How do we get achievements and a focus on goals unless there is a bonus at the end? Or at least cake….. No, I’m not saying we shouldn’t celebrate achieving goals. What I am…
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Travelling recently to a family function I came across a description of a medical condition that I was unaware of. This condition first documented in Roman times, known as Anton Syndrome, affects the visual centres of the brain. Quite simply, a person with this condition is physically blind, yet continues to believe that they can…
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It seems that all words of advice in the program management world are focussed on Program Managers. It is certainly of benefit to learn how to be a good one. But how many people think of the good and bad lessons that can help or destroy Sponsors in their very important but undervalued role? As…
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What a great day! You’ve been assigned a program to deliver. It’s something that you can see value in. It even looks deliverable. As a Program Manager you feel on top of the world, and set out to get this thing done. You’re all in. You’re engaged. You’re emotionally invested. For those of us who…
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I consider myself a pretty smart guy. I mean not Steve, Hal or Ahbi smart (guys I went to uni with who seemed to find everything just easy), but able to walk and chew gum at the same time kind of competent. Today reminded me that I have to learn things every day. As a…
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About 20 years ago I found myself starting in a job surrounded by 25 people with science and engineering degrees. I walked into that silent place to see people sitting quietly reading, typing, or mixing chemicals in a lab. My task was to get them working as an effective unit. Productivity had not really changed…
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