Laugh, Learn, Lead - The Project Ecosystem

Do you every feel something is easy and other times it seems hard. It’s because we are either aligned or in conflict with our strengths?
For over 10 years I have invested in learning more about myself to be a better leader for others – my values, my beliefs, my strengths, my behaviours.
There are many tools available. I use DISC Profiles (a behaviours framework) when working with leaders and their teams.
Recently though I read an article by Emma Sharrock you may remember her from EP25 The Agile Project Manager.She shared a personal story from 20 years ago, what strengths got her through that particular crisis. She uses the Gallup Strengths tools and in 2017 I completed my own assessment.
Our strengths are what we do with ease, excellence and energy.
Today’s episode I share my top five strengths according to the Gallup Strengths indicators:

• Activator – can make things happen by turning thoughts into action
• Arranger – can organise and determines how all the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity
• Individualisation – are intrigued with unique qualities of each person, figuring out how different people can work together productively
• Relator – enjoys close relationships with others and deep satisfaction in achieving goals
• Responsibility – take psychological ownership of what they say they will do

Thank you for subscribing and being part of my podcast family. We are moving to fortnightly episodes for a while.

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A behind the scenes share of process change lessons with JC and her team.
Creating something new or different as a team is exciting, yet it can be faced with challenges.
Some of the team may have experienced a similar change before, some may have the skills to understand what is expected and others maybe stepping into a whole new process so not sure if they should turn left or right.
Check before you start.
How will we work together to progress the process change?
Do we understand what is and is not acceptable in terms of design and function?
Are we all committed to the plan?
No matter the size of your business process change, these three steps must be followed to get a result everyone will be satisfied with.

1. Develop requirement scenarios
2. Test to gain acceptance
3. Conduct a post implementation review session

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Super delighted to have Melonie Taylor, Chief Energy Office and Author of Success on Purpose on this week’s episode.
Melonie helps hundreds of professionals on the verge of burnout discover the easy ways of reclaiming balance and success in life.
We talk about:

• Her journey from nursing to Chief Energy Officer
• What are limiting beliefs and how to surface them?
• 7 steps for permission to receive workshop and three things to do everyday
• What she is finding people are mostly struggling with during isolation?
• How she maintains her own energy levels while helping so many others.

As a Palliative Care Nurse for 20 years and through her own experience of burnout, anxiety and depression, Melonie learned that it is not sustainable to keep giving without receiving.
Productivity comes through alignment of strengths, values and having a clear focus and vision.
Melonie is a highly sought-after speaker. Her insights are backed by science and her tips are practical.

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When you look around, what do you see and hear from others as they get through their days in isolation?
I’m finding the old is new again.
The filters you apply to the information and things surrounding you is the key to thrive in difficult situations. So, if we can thrive with what we already have, why do we want different or more?
It’s during difficult times when our values are tested.
Definition of Value “principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is important in life”
Businesses that have values defined, understood, agreed and demonstrated the team feels connected to the strategic goals and thrive. The three-step process to develop (and review) business values (reference Qld Government)
1.Map your personal principles, beliefs and values under categories2.Reflect on the meaning of each value3.Translate your values into a set of guiding principles and standards of behaviour

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Welcome back Greg Hill who was my guest in Season 1, Episode 18 The Human Side of Transformation.
Although it may not seem the right time now to think about the systems supporting your business, it’s important you plan when you will review your landscape - costs, data and documentation.
We talk about

• How does business strategy and systems architecture fit together?
• How can businesses go about setting their path if they are not sure if they should keep going or change direction? and
• What is looking to shape our future system solutions?

He emphasises regular planning of business and technology milestones will not only save you time and money, it should be about how you work and the investing in the right solutions.
Greg has his own consulting firm, and works with SME to help them realise the benefits and challenges that lie ahead transforming to cloud based platforms.

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Last episode I talked about the two stages of strategic thinking during chaos – what to do now and what to do next.
No matter what we are feeling we are all searching for some sign of normality. We desire to be back in a form of business as usual.
In this episode I will help you achieve your version of “business as usual” through planning your week ahead.
What is Business as Usual (dictionary definition)
“an ongoing and unchanging state of affairs despite difficulties and disturbancesEg much of the town lost electricity in the storm, but for people with generators it was business as usual”
Create your new BAU with a weekly plan of:- Non-negotiables (family and me time)- Regular interactions with teams and clients (meetings, catch ups)- Must do list (emails and phone calls)- Thinking time and project work

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We’ve hit an iceberg in this case COVID-19. We knew it was around, we knew what to look for yet, we feel like we are sinking.
Our first reaction is do whatever we can to survive.
During chaos though it’s the strategic thinking and planning for recovery that gets us to safe waters.
In this episode Jeanette shares her two stages with you:- What to do now, and- What to do next.
Simple right? Well no. It’s tough and it’s uncomfortable – it will give you a sense of control and confidence to keep going.
What to do now:Chaos management is doing what has to be done today for the safety of your staff and financial stability of your business.- What must continue, what can be paused and what can be stopped- Know your numbers- Communicate- Can we do something different- Map it out, tick it off and have a sense of progress
What to do next:Recovery planning is not a one step process, open the doors and our customers will return.It’s a methodical process of vision and practical actions- Day 1- Week 1- Month 1- Month 3- Month 6- Month 12

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Mel Telecican is the Director of Loyalest.
We talk about:· What excites Mel and the work she does· How she approaches her client engagements· The three things we should focus on, when going digital· Things to be aware of when looking to change the way we work· The goals she wants to achieve this year· How she gets time for herself
You know how individuals and businesses find it difficult to publish articles and social media with consistency? That is largely what Loyalest does for their clients.
They do this through their Cover-All-Bases content marketing service which, as the name suggests, takes care of all mediums - website, multiple social media platforms, email campaigns and more.
Mel has clients across Australia which include leading firms in law, accounting, architecture, project management and engineering.
Mel and her team are on a mission to help professional services firms boost their visibility and scale their reputation.

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In this episode I share it with Jordana Patterson who has championed the adoption of Agile principles and mindsets at World Vision Australia over the last three years.
We talk about:· How she found herself in the project management arena· What problem did she solve by adopting agile at World Vision Australia· The success story she is sharing with others· What she wants to achieve this year and· How she gets time for herself while juggling family and work
As Marketing Operations Manager, Jordana has a broad and challenging remit. Her role is part process design, part operations, part budget management, part portfolio management and part team coach!
In addition to being ‘all things Agile’ at World Vision, she can often be found chasing two mini monsters around the house, baking up a storm or barracking for her beloved St Kilda football club. She has worked at World Vision Australia for eight years.
I really enjoyed Jordana’s honesty about work-life integration and it’s the moments that matter.
Connect with her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordana-patterson/
Email her at work [email protected]

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After many years as a Government Director planning multi-million-dollar programs of work, I share with you in this episode the ingredients for keeping you focused on achieving your goals.
What is your big picture?
You may also have heard the term blueprint or strategic plan. I love the term “your elephant” and it includes-3-year view-Your goals, what you want to achieve-The pathway for the change-A list of projects-An outline of expected results including the quick wins
Why is it important?
Your big picture (elephant)-Tells a story for others to understand without the detail-Keeps focus for better decisions-Sets expectations of future priorities
How to create your elephant
I hear from people I work with this process also helps with their personal goal setting.-Think big, dream what could be possible and aim a little higher-Use pictures, words, symbols as a visual tool (vision board)-Scope projects and sequence them across the three years
Three Tips
-Involve all staff,not just the subject matter experts-Research what is happening in your industry-Use an external facilitator to enable design thinking and challenge expectations
Come along and work on your Big Picture at my workshop in Melbourne in July 2020. To find out more head to https://www.stickytickets.com.au/jeanettecremor/events?page=1

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