Hosts Merv Jersak and Tim Jerome emphasize the need for project managers to overcome personal biases and judgments to facilitate better collaboration and project delivery. The discussion includes practical advice on conflict resolution, leveraging collaboration tools effectively, and employing wisdom and discernment. Key to the conversation is the introduction of Speed Leas’ model for understanding the levels of conflict, and strategies for proactive management to prevent conflict escalations. The episode is packed with real-world anecdotes and tips for leading projects more effectively by focusing on human interactions and decision-making processes.

Main Take-Aways

1)     Project managers must check their biases and judgments to aid collaboration.

2)     Project managers must take accountability and responsibility to aid collaboration.

3)     Project managers should check their language and avoid absolutes.

4)     Project managers should study Speed Leas’ model for conflict management on projects to help them understand when to insert themselves into the situation.

5)     Project managers must learn wisdom and discernment to improve their collaboration skills.

6)     Project managers can use cognitive dissonance and/or humor to help in situations that require collaborative solutions.

Show Notes

Today’s Project Managers Coffee Chat: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Collaboration on Your Projects

00:27 Unlocking collaboration tips, tools, and techniques for managing projects.

00:37 Merv reveals that he has had to learn to check biases and judgments before inserting himself into a situation to help ensure collaboration can happen more effectively.

01:14 Tim adds that he had to learn to take accountability and responsibility to improve collaboration on his projects.

02:11 Merv offers that you should also check your language; Tim agrees by counseling project managers to avoid absolutes.

03:24 Tim introduces Speed Leas’ 5-step model for conflict management on projects, one that has been adopted for Agile engagements. The model follows conflict escalation on projects and advises when project managers should step in to help resolve the conflict.

05:34 Leas’ Step 1 – “problem to solve”, and the team is collaborating.

06:10 Leas’ Step 2 – “disagreement”, where the team is taking positions.

07:07 Leas’ Step 3 – “contest”, the team is showing win/lose dynamics.

08:36 Leas’ Step 4 – “crusade” (updated term: “fight/flight”), and the team has formed factions.

05:34 Leas’ Step 5 – “all out warfare” (updated term: “intractable situation”), and the team is looking to bring harm to those they are in conflict with.

11:58 Merv discusses how discernment and wisdom are powerful aspects of your character as a project manager to apply better judgment to situations that require a collaborative approach.

14:30 Merv continues by showing how applying creative conflict resolution through cognitive dissonance and humor can diffuse difficult situations.

18:32 Merv closes the discussion by recommending that you separate facts from emotions in any situations in which you find yourself.