Join hosts Merv Jersak and Tim Jerome as they delve into the human side of project management in this comprehensive episode. They discuss strategies for effectively 'working the room,' highlighting the importance of redefining strangers as potential friends and exuding quiet confidence and charm. Emphasizing a host mindset to engage others, they also underscore the significance of advanced planning, emotional intelligence, and active listening as crucial skills. The episode extends into the realm of mentorship, providing guidance on learning social and professional engagement skills through observing and emulating mentors, and practicing networking skills. Recommendations, such as 'How to Work a Room' by Susan RoAne, provide practical tips for effective networking. The hosts share personal anecdotes and stress the importance of being genuine and adaptable in social interactions. Practical advice on mentorship and prioritizing engagements based on influence and impact are offered, concluding the episode with strategies to build these skills for professional success.

Main Take-Aways

Project leaders can learn a variety of strategies to make yourselves comfortable in any working the room situations:

• redefine the term “stranger”
• build your self-confidence
• be a host rather than a guest
• plan your engagement objectives ahead of time
• exhibit emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, active listening skills
• have fun; exhibit charisma and charm
• become a student of working the room through mentorship, observation, practice, and learning from the experts
• go with the flow as you prioritize your interactions

Show Notes

Today’s Project Managers Coffee Chat: Strategies for Working the Room

00:33 Introducing the subject of strategies to working a room, following the previous two podcast episodes on what is meant by working the room and why you need to learn these skills.

00:58 Redefining the term “stranger” to one of a friend you just haven’t met yet.

01:42 Building an air of self-confidence, engaging personality, and charm to make people comfortable to engage with you.

03:42 Adopting the mindset of a host rather than a guest, serving the people you are engaging with rather than expecting to be served.

04:35 Advanced planning of your objectives when working the room and having flexibility when conversations change course from your intent.

05:52 Exhibiting a high degree of emotional intelligence and cultural awareness in networking situations.

07:30 Being an active listener.

08:26 The importance of having fun while engaging with others, exhibiting charisma and charm.

09:30 Advice for project managers who are less experienced in the art of working a room:

10:00     … learning from mentors

10:35     … observing and practicing proper etiquette

11:09     … observing mentors work a “virtual room”

11:33     … researching and preparing for the event

12:08     … rehearsing conversation starters

12:23     … studying and learning from the experts

14:51     …  observing yourself in casual social situations and carrying the same comfort into networking situations

15:27      … engaging naturally with strangers in everyday life experiences

18:27 Going with the flow and prioritizing conversations in working a room