Be a Guest on my Podcast! Tell me: What Are You Thankful For?

So, what are you thankful for?

Many countries celebrate a holiday similar to Thanksgiving, which is observed this month in the United States.

Each year there is research that reinforces that being thankful--having a spirit of gratitude--has enormous benefits, from helping you be happier to even living longer.

How about going on record with what you're thankful for this year?

This year we're opening up the phone lines for you! Regardless of where you live, whether in the U.S. or abroad, just call us at (847) 579-9174. Leave your name (first name only is fine) and where you live, then tell us what you're thankful for this year. We'll include your contribution in our People and Projects Podcast episode that will come out the week of Thanksgiving.

It's not too difficult to find things to be upset or worried about these days. So let's hear from you what you're thankful for! Call us toll-free at 866-884-5323 and tell the world what you're thankful for!

Everyone who participates by Friday, November 20, gets a free 30-day license to my e-learning module on risk management. It's my way of saying.... Thanks!

IMPORTANT: If you want the e-learning license, make sure to leave your e-mail address in the message as well. We will edit out the e-mail address so it doesn't show up in the podcast but will use it to give you the free access to the e-learning.

It only takes a minute! Give me a call toll-free at 866-884-5323 to participate!

Labels: appreciation, podcast, World of Thanks

posted by Andy at 9:45 AM  

"Develop Your Skills? Hey, You're Just Lucky to Have a Job!"

I recall speaking at a national sales meeting back in early 2002 (a difficult time for many companies who were still digging out from 9/11). I hung out for a while afterwards for a meet and greet and decided to stay for the next session, which was led by the VP of Sales. He started talking about the new commission structure, which was clearly not being embraced by the sales team. In frustration the VP eventually blurted out, "Hey, if you don't like this--go get a job somewhere else! You're lucky to have a job!"

That'll rally the troops!

During difficult times, it's easy to fall into the trap of neglecting our teams: dropping the priority of developing our people under the presumption of "they're lucky to have a job and won't go elsewhere." I'm not advocating we put up with whining over difficult changes that need to be made. Rather, I'm talking about managers who don't keep employee development a priority because they think "they don't have to" or "can't" during difficult economic times.

Stephanie Overby wrote a nice piece in a recent CIO Magazine issue entitled Forging Good Leaders in Bad Times. I particularly appreciated contributions by Dr. Karen Sobel-Lojeski: "Leaders are developing whether you want them to or not. The question is: Do we want to be aware of that and guide that in a conscious way?"

Toyota CIO Barbra Cooper added a point we emphasize in our leadership development keynotes and workshops: "I try to take advantage of everyday events—problems or personnel issues—and turn them into real-time learning opportunities." Leadership development training is happening all around us, every day, if we pay attention.

Add this article to your list to read this week. And contact us to learn how we can help you develop your teams. We can do so effectively without capsizing your budget! Even as you work to keep your business afloat during these stormy times, remember that everyone wins when you develop your people. When the ill winds pass (and they will), your organization well be better positioned than ever to take advantage of new opportunities.

Labels: appreciation, executives, leadership, teambuilding, teams

posted by Andy at 8:45 AM  

We Want to Hear From You: What Are You Thankful For?

So, what are you thankful for?

Many countries celebrate a holiday similar to Thanksgiving, which is observed this week in the United States.

Each year there is research that reinforces that being thankful--having a spirit of gratitude--has enormous benefits, from helping you be happier to even living longer.

How about going on record with what you're thankful for this year?

Click here to join our World of Thanks survey. We'll publish the results from people all over the world who join you in saying what they are thankful for.

It's not too difficult to find things to be upset or worried about these days. So let's hear from you what you're thankful for!

Everyone who participates by Friday, November 28, gets a free copy of my e-book How to Organize Your Inbox & Get Rid of E-Mail Clutter. It's my way of saying.... Thanks!

It only takes a minute! Click here now to participate!

Labels: appreciation, World of Thanks

posted by Andy at 11:55 AM  

A Good Excuse to Say "Thank You!"

Hey, do you need a reason to celebrate today? Well guess what? The first Thursday of every November is International Project Management Day!

Now how exactly is one to celebrate International Project Management Day? That's a fair question. Increasingly there seems to be a day or month for just about everything. For example, who would have known that November is also Peanut Butter Lovers Month? I can figure out how to celebrate that over lunch today. But how do you celebrate International Project Management Day?

I propose you brainstorm a list of stakeholders who have been actively involved in (or have positively affected) your development as a manager/project manager. Today would be a great day to thank them.

Here are some of mine:

• Diane Conrath and Bob Pawlikowski, who promoted me from being a programmer/analyst to a manager for all the wrong reasons.
• Bill Henry, a former Vietnam vet turned DBA who taught me countless project management lessons through his quirky quips.
• Ron Bieber and Ken Bridgeman, who are some of the most talented technical leaders I ever managed. Or did they manage me?
• Walt Wikman, who encouraged my development and provided many opportunities for higher levels of leadership. He taught me to take a more global mindset to business, and he didn't keep me from speaking at conferences when I was discovering that I really loved doing so.
• Cindy Elzinga, who was one of the toughest bosses I ever worked for but did more to stretch me than any previous manager. I didn't realize it (or like it) at the time, but she greatly prepared me for what I'm doing now.
• Ben Snyder, who took a chance on me as a project management facilitator for Systemation when he was probably overstaffed. I have great respect for Ben as a leader, as a CEO, and as a person.
• Seth Freeman, who was both a joy and pain to work with as a stakeholder... and turned out to be a valued friend.
• Karl Wiegers, who encouraged me to pursue a speaking and writing career and graciously offered advice and feedback during the early days of my business.

There are countless others who have molded my ability to lead people and projects today. How about you? Use today as an excuse to take a moment to thank them.

P.S. I'm thinking real project managers would have come up with an acronym for today! So, fellow PM's, congratulations on IPMD!

Labels: appreciation, leadership, project management

posted by Andy at 9:41 AM  

'Thank You' is for Wimps!

In a recent newsletter we discussed the importance of expressing appreciation to those around us. I told about a guy who essentially thought saying "Thank You" is for wimps. Though you likely don't share that opinion, many of us regularly miss opportunities to model a spirit of appreciation ourselves and to express it to others. Yet those opportunities are all around us.

Last week I was trying to fly home from facilitating a 3-day project management workshop in Pittsburgh. Flights were delayed into O’Hare because of weather. Controllers directed our regional jet, with its share of crabby passengers worrying about connections, into a holding pattern where we all bounced around in the turbulence with each loop.

We had a last second missed approach due to runway traffic which further delayed arrival. I had a blistering cold walk through a snowy lot to get to my car. My window was frozen shut so I got another taste of Chicago’s arctic weather when paying the attendant.

Do you know what I was thankful for as I drove away from O'Hare? Seat heat.

Glorious, soothing heat was warming my body and soul as I started the drive home. From there I moved onto other things I was thankful for, such as the privilege of driving home to a family that I not only love but truly enjoy. I’m thankful I get to fall asleep next to my incredible wife of almost 20 years instead of spending another night in a smelly hotel room. I’m thankful that I get to make a living doing what I do best. I'm thankful for a peace with God that makes me excited about the future instead of fearful of it.

The gratitude flowed freely for the entire drive home, which made me much more pleasant to be around when I finally stepped into our warm home. And it all started with a little seat heat on a cold night.

What are you thankful for today? Who are you thankful for and need to tell? Make it happen. Today.

Here are some links for further reading:

• "Staff Retention: The Power of Appreciation at Work", CIO.com
• Our "World of Thanks" survey, including responses from people all over the world, expressing what they are thankful for.

I invite you to leave a comment to this posting regarding what you are thankful for today. By the way, I'm thankful for the opportunity to pour into you! Make today a great one!

Labels: appreciation, choices, leadership, teams

posted by Andy at 10:10 AM