After experiencing a Leadership workshop, the approach he took was very simple, so simple that he attracted lots of naysayers, lots of pushback from all directions within the organization.
Eighteen months later, his simple approach to project leadership had taken their customer service rating all the way to 93%. That regional claim center became the customer service benchmark for the rest of the company.
How well a manager provides project leadership will determine whether the people factor is a divider or multiplier of project team performance. If the leader is effective in dealing with the soft, people issues, the performance of the project team is multiplied. If not, the people factor is divided, and project performance nosedives.
The key to successful project leadership and successful projects is to bring out the best in people. Unleash their potential and focus the resulting energy, creativity, spirit, buy-in, passion, talent, enthusiasm, etc. on accomplishing our project objectives. It is not an exaggeration to say that project leadership is mission critical!
With so much riding on the skills of the project leader, it's not surprising that innumerable complex leadership theories have made their way into the business world. Leadership has gotten a reputation as a complex, mystical, ethereal, maybe even touchy-feely talent that we can't quite wrap our arms around or demonstrate routinely. Everyone knows it is important, but many might not know how to do it.
Most managers have become experts in the hard parts of their jobs through training, education and practice. The same cannot be said for the soft parts of those jobs. In general, managers and executives don't have nearly the experience or the education to cultivate sound practices in dealing with the soft, people issues. So, the challenges of leadership can look more complex than they really are.
It's much more effective to simplify the way in which leadership issues are viewed and approached. Most of life's complex challenges are tackled by distilling them down to their simplest forms. Even cleaning out the garage is overwhelming (at least at our houses!) unless it's reduced to a series of simple tasks!
The power of simplicity Complex solutions are rarely executed successfully, except on television. A number of years ago there was a series of TV commercials that featured basketball greats Larry Bird and Michael Jordan having an amazing shoot out in which they each tried to trump the other's best shot.
The dialogue that laid out the shot always went something like, "Off the ceiling, around the pole, over the car, through the window, nothing but net." The player would then nail the shot perfectly as described. In real life, the margin of error in those shots is so infinitesimal that it would be impossible to succeed. The slightest miscalculation would mean a colossal air ball. Yet, project managers often choose complex solutions with long odds instead of effective, albeit simple, effective methods of leadership.
Former General Electric CEO, Jack Welch, shed some light on the reason complexity is chosen over simplicity when, in an interview with The Harvard Business Review, he said, "Insecure managers create complexity. ...Real leaders don't need clutter. ...But it's not easy. You can't believe how hard it is for people to be simple, how much they fear being simple. They worry that if they're simple, people will think they're simple-minded. In reality, of course, it is just the opposite. Clear, tough-minded people are the most simple."
Like a trick shot, a complex solution is almost guaranteed to be difficult. A simple solution might not be easy, but at least it has a chance of succeeding.
Experience suggests the simpler the better.
Complexity is best reserved for those competitions in which "degree of difficulty" has a weighted impact in judging who gets the gold medal!
While many aspects of project leadership can be very complex, there are always ways to simplify them. Successful executives are beginning to recognize the power of simplicity. John Sculley, former CEO of Apple Computer, said, "Everything we have learned in the industrial age has tended to create more and more complication. I think that more and more people are learning that you have to simplify, not complicate. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
One of the creators of the exhibit Jonathan Harris explains, "People think contradictions are sexy, so they try to describe themselves as having contradictions."
That is probably true. Along with an air of mystery, people are also excited meeting another person who does not quite fit into a stereotypical box. For instance you may see someone's photo where they are dressed to the nines in punk rock attire and figure that tells you all you need to know. However after exploring a little bit further you find out they love Shakespeare sonnets and nights at the opera. Finding out something unexpected about a potential dating partner can have a startling effect especially when it turns out to be compatible.
Unfortunately with online dating, contradictions can also mean something else entirely. In other words, they are just flat out lying. There could be any number of reasons why they refuse to tell you the truth.
1. The Unthrilling Life
They read your profile, chat with you and come to the conclusion you have led a pretty interesting life. They on the other hand do not feel so good about their experiences. It could be embarrassment, just plain hurt or the feeling they cannot compete with what you have to offer. Should they feel that way? No. But many of us sometimes anazlyze our lives to the point of ridiculous.
2. They REALLY like you
Sally Field's Academy Award acceptance speech has become part of our pop culture folklore: "You like me. You really like me." Many people have made fun of that speech over the years but more than anything it was all about acceptance. No matter what level a person may be on, everyone wants to be accepted in some way. Sometimes if a person likes you enough, they are more than willing to shade or change their answers outright so you will accept them. They may think this is flattering. It is not. It has the stench of neediness written all over it.
3. The Dark Side
Thankfully instances of online dating hookups that have gone tragically wrong are few and far between. But they do happen. There are people out there whose sole intent is to pull you into their own personal insane asylum; so they will say anything they can to get you to open the door. They must be cunning to do this but they know that mystery, human curiosity and contradictions can have your emotions spinning out of control.
Contradictions in an online dating profile are great as long as they are of the truthful variety. Knowing that a person's likes and interests go further than what you initially assumed is a wonderful thing. Building a relationship on a lie however even if the intentions are good can only lead to disastrous results for everyone involved.
Both Ed Oakley & Daryl Campbell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ed Oakley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Small Business, Leadership and Small Business. Ed Oakley is the founder of Solve your greatest management challenges with his new book, Leadership Made Simple. Ed Oakley's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Daryl Campbell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Blog Traffic, First Date and Email Marketing. Article written by Daryl Campbell. Contradiction is one thing. . Get more free t. Daryl Campbell's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.