Sign in Subscribe

Paul Stefanski

Paul Stefanski

Two ways project mangers can seek to solve problems. One way is better.

Projects have problems. Stakeholders and teams, made up of people, brings different perspectives which may create obstacles to the project. Every single process ever invented is fraught with flaw. All will break at some point. How can project managers go about solving every problem they face? Why bother? Problems left

How analogical thinking can improve your problem solving (and your project managment) skills

So there you are. Head on your desk. It has been a few hours. At least. Maybe more. And your mind is stuck. It could be your tired. Maybe caffeine is the answer. You are feeling stuck as problem solver. Maybe its time to stop thinking about the inside view

Why project leaders need to be able to define wicked and kind learning environments

Projects come in all shapes and sizes. They also live in various kinds of environments. Your organizational culture and context matters. Your industry matters. Who your stakeholders are, matter. And as you are about to launch your project into the wider world, you need to understand the difference between kind

What is the number one skill for project managers to become project leaders?

If I were to boil down the transition between Project Manger to Project Leader, I would say: be a Problem Solver. Taking notes, writing status, updating dates? All good stuff. But that is not problem solving. Thinking your methodology will fit any situation? There’s a failure to listen in

16 Project Management Skills you can learn from Glue by Anh Dao Pham

* Asking Questions * Building Rapport * Change * Communication * Creating Alignment * Delegation * Finishing * Managing Trade Offs * Motivation * Negotiation * Note Taking * Personalizing the Process * Planning * Risk * Running Meetings * Synthesis Thinking Which of these skills do you struggle with the most? Take my Project Manager Challenges Survey to help me learn more about those struggles.

Ten Project Management Lessons from David Epstein’s “Range”

David Epstein's book "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" is not directly about project management. It is about how we can build the skills we need no matter our field. David addresses the great debate: What does it take to be good at what

Ten Quotes from Glue to inspire your project management efforts

Ownership is the key to true leadership To be truly helpful, you can't wait for someone to ask. Project leaders are comfortable asking questions to seek the truth. When no one is assigned accountability, no one takes accountability. ...providing a reason, and doing so consistently can have a

Glue. A book for every new and seasoned project manager.

Glue is the book I wish I had 15 years ago when I first started doing project management. Anh Dao Pham demonstrates that the need in the project world is less on the "management", but more on leadership. The first several chapters may decieve the reader as some

Seth Godin’s "Linchpin” Book Review: Applying it to project management

In 2010, Seth Godin’s book, “Linchpin”, became the foundation for the Creator economy. If you follow any creator, on any platform, Godin’s thoughts on being a creator are always part of the atmosphere. It's obvious that his influence throughout the greater creator economy is quite widespread.