International Project Management Day: The Recipe for Project Leadership

November 6th is recognized as International Project Management Day. It is always celebrated on the first Thursday of November. Today we will recognize how project management is really shifting and evolving into project leadership.

What the Pros Think. We all know a project manager. Maybe we are one ourselves. With this in mind, how would you describe a project manager? My faithful audience knows I like to play word association in my blogs, so I'm going to start: Project managers are organized, excellent communicators, multi-taskers, proactive, and strive to make a difference. "Business to Community" recognizes some of the top project managers and their thoughts on the top project management skills needed to succeed.

What Makes a Project Manager Successful? The beauty of project management is that even though there's a definite science behind it, it's also an art. A large element of project management has to do with creativity. Creative problem solving, creative organization tactics and strategies, and creative project leadership all go into the "art" of project management.

So what does creativity have to do with project management success? Each project manager has his or her own unique, individual style for managing projects, working with customers, and working with team members. Sure, there are certain crucial steps in project management that are essential to success, such as risk management and response, gathering and identifying stakeholder requirements, communication and leadership styles, and estimating and budgeting, but there's also that gray area where each project manager has the opportunity to shade that gray area with their own color. While "following the rules" (such as the FMEA principles, ISO, and other set industry standards) is important, the other secret to project management success has to do with that little part of you that makes you, well, YOU.

Project Management is Really Project Leadership...So getting to the whole point of this blog, and the whole idea behind today, project management is really evolving into project leadership. I've always believed that there is a fine line between a manager and a leader. A manager does just that: manage. But we all know that a good leader displays an excellent balance between managing the business side and people side. A leader not only works with team members and stands by them, but also encourages.

We've talked before about how important communication is when leading a team (or any relationship for that matter). A successful project management leader encourages open communication among a team. A leader is open to conflicts and debate and sees them as an opportunity for change and improvement, and also recognizes the fine line between open, informal and formal communication, and knows when each is appropriate.

But there are challenges with project management leadership, isn't there? In fact, many would agree that the most difficult area of project management is working with different team members and personality styles. It's difficult to tailor your management and leadership style to the different working behaviors and learning styles on each team, especially if you have over ten people on your team.

What Do You Do When Your Team is Impossible to Work With? If you've been a project manager, team leader, or supervisor for some time, then you probably know too well what it's like to have a team that doesn't seem to agree on anything, or that are just particularly difficult to work with. But before you jump out the window, here are three ways to work with difficult teams:

- Recognize the four stages of project development

- Practice and encourage effective and active listening and questioning
- Use the "shit sandwich" technique when delivering negative feedback

I know what you are thinking, "What the hell is a 'shit sandwich'?" Don't worry, we'll get there. First let's start with recognizing the four stages of project development. Whenever a team is assigned together for the first time, there is always that awkward phase of getting to know one another...which can really create a lot of tension and not at all productive. But, recognizing the four phases of project development can help project managers and leaders understand what is really going on with a team.

These phases are the following:

Phase 1: Forming - The team is becoming acclimated, overcoming initial awkwardness
Phase 2: Storming - The team is learning how to work together
Phase 3: Norming - The awkwardness of the first two phases are over, the team is now solving problems together, and productivity starts to spike
Phase 4: Performing - The team has achieved a high success level together by either reaching a goal or finishing a project, the ultimate level of productivity and team performance

Through recognizing the phases of product, and ultimately, team development, a project manager or leader can oversee the phases, participate in various steps, but overall, he or she should be practicing effective and active listening while encouraging questions. Recognizing each team member for the unique individual he or she is really begins with listening. A team leader can certainly voice his or her opinions, but not without fully, actively listening to a team member first. And before consider your response before you respond. How will this team member react to what you would like to say? Remember, it's not always what you say, it's how you say it.

And, now, the "shit sandwich". I came across this term earlier this week when conducting research for a client and I thought it conveyed my point here perfectly. The "shit sandwich" is a method for delivering negative feedback. As Hubspot explains, "CEO, Ben Horowitz discusses the old feedback trick that is the shit sandwich. 'The basic idea is that people open up to feedback far more if you start by complimenting them (slice of bread #1), then you give them the difficult message (the shit), then wrap up by reminding them how much you value their strengths (slice of bread #2).'" 

However, the "shit sandwich" has its pros and cons...and not for the derogatory term. The positive reaction is that it is a highly effective communication tactic. The negative reaction is it could be interpreted as "sugar coating". All in all, the bottom line here is pay attention to your team members' personalities and tailor your communication accordingly.

Unfortunately, there are times when leaders really need to step it up a notch and lead a team through a crisis. The ultimate crisis is the downturn of a company or organization where morale is at an all-time low, and tension and fear are at an all-time high...and productivity levels are at 0. Again, the only way to really lead a team to the light at the end of the tunnel is communication.

There's Always Room for Improvement. Even if you are a senior project manager, or have been in project management for over a decade, there's always room for improvement. Project managers are constantly evolving and improving as leaders. But, the hard truth is that projects fail sometimes. It's just the nature of the job. While project managers and leaders are responsible for SO many facets of a project, there's still a great deal out of our control (even though we might hate to admit it). But accountability and responsibility are huge aspects of project management that go a long way.

Take some time today to think about your personal and professional goals, your strengths and weaknesses, your leadership and communication styles...even if you aren't a project manager. Think about how you can make a difference in all that you do, because that in itself, can make all the difference.

Image credit: © CurvaBezier

Written content: © 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J. H. Language Solutions 

4 Things Music and Language Have in Common that Will Blow Your Mind

When you think of a foreign language, what comes to mind? French, Spanish, German, Italian, or even sign language. But what about music? Inexperienced or amateur musicians and non-musicians may think that music is merely picking up a guitar and plucking a few strings, or making some noise on a drum with a couple of sticks, or even hitting a few keys on a piano. But well-versed musicians understand it's not that easy. Reading, playing, and even speaking music is a language all on its own.

Don't believe me? Studies have shown that the way the brain functions and interprets music—by the way it hears, interprets, and responds—is similar to that of learning a language. And probably one of the only areas in humanity where art and science actually agree with each other...

So what are the elements that are needed to learn a foreign language? I've outlined a few right here, and how each corresponds to music.

Reading. When learning any language, whether that's your native language at age four or five, or whether you are forty-five and finally picking up that second language you've always wanted to learn, language fundamentals begin with reading and writing.

To musicians, reading musical notation and nomenclature is the most fundamental of fundamentals when first picking up an instrument or learning to read music. This is similar to learning vocabulary words in another language, which could be words as simple as "food", "blue", "cat", or "car". In music this could "translate" to A, E, B flat, or C.

Listening. Listening is a key aspect in learning any new language, obviously, because being able to respond in a new language requires being able to understand and interpret what another is saying. Then, acquiring fluency to be able to respond with ease.

Listening and music go hand-in-hand. No surprise here. But when it comes to music, listening is different from hearing. Hearing plays an important role as fundamental ear training is a key aspect in any ensemble or in formal musical education. However, listening involves a deeper understanding and maybe even churns a level of emotion that the brain then is deciding on a response based on the feeling or emotion that is taking place. This is what is meant when people listening to performing musicians claim that they can hear the emotion in his or her song or in his or her voice.

Fluency. If you have ever tried to learn a foreign language, then you may already know that once you are able to subconsciously dream in another language, you are becoming fluent. The same is true for music. Once fluency begins to take over, a musician is able to "fluently" read and understand notes in both treble and bass clefs with ease. At this stage, not only is the brain reading and understanding musical notes, a physical movement is also happening simultaneously...whether it is strumming strings at a certain rhythm with one hand while moving along frets on the neck of a guitar with the other, using both arms to hit drums, or using one or both hands to hit keys. There is intense eye-hand coordination taking place.
As the brain processes what each note means, the output here—instead of words and phrase—is a series of melodic progressions or harmonies.

Speaking. Eventually the language learner moves from "fluency", which describes how easily vocabulary, dialect, and understanding come to a language learner, and actually speaking and communicating what he or she thinks or feels.

Improvisation, or commonly referred to as "improv", is a way for musicians to communicate to one another via a certain sound or particular key. The listener or other musician may respond to what he or she hears with his or her own sound in that same key, but what and how he or she hears, and how that sound is interpreted to the individual is entirely unique and particular to that musician. While this "conversation" is happening between a group of musicians or ensemble, the audience is listening to the music and forming their own interpretations, blithely unaware a conversation is taking place, or that a "language" is being "communicated".

So before you think that music isn't a "real" language, think again. As mentioned above, the brain processes the same information as well as takes the same developmental steps to reaching fluency when learning to read, write, and "speak" music just as it would with any other language. Kind of gives you a whole new appreciation for music, doesn't it?

Image credit: © erburenustudio - Fotolia.com

Written content: © 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J.H. Language Solutions

J. H. Language Solutions: "Behind the Music"

Just like the professional musicians do at the end of a rock concert, I'd like to start this post off by thanking my fans, clients, and anyone out there who has taken the time to read through my blogs and services. I am proud to work with such a diverse clientele and workload on a regular basis. This allows me to grow and learn as business owner and entrepreneur in how better serve my clients...spoken from a true musician at heart.

Regardless of what role you play in my "audience", I want to share with you the true tale of J. H. Language Solutions and what sparked me to start my own business, the challenges I faced and currently face, and where I am now as well as my plans for the future. Here’s the story of J. H. Language Solutions.

The year 2010 was one pivotal year in my life. Even though I didn’t know it at the time, it meant “change” in every area. Prior to 2010, I moved from one dead-end job to the next, of no fault of my own, endured financial strain and stress as a result, and was just trying to find my corner of life where I was meant to be. I was on the journey in search of something that made me “me”, or “finding myself”, if you will…just like everyone.

After months and even years of stress, and a period of “bad luck”, I knew I needed to start doing something different. I knew I needed to make a change, but I wasn’t sure how. Like anyone would, I started with money. I needed to make extra money to pay down my debts and ensure a healthy financial future. By taking some advice from a former supervisor, I began looking for freelance work. I signed up with oDesk, a freelance website. I immediately began bidding for jobs, but nothing fell through. After almost three straight months of bidding, I landed my first “job” proofreading an eBook.

Then, also around the same time, I headed to Boston for a full time offer as an Associate Editor with Pearson. With over an hour’s ride by train each way every day, and my newly found freelance work, I knew I had my word cut out for me. But with a very promising and aspiring career in publishing, I knew Pearson was the place to go. I would just make it work. However, Pearson is not the easiest company to get into, but even there, the chips began falling into place. I got to meet and work with some of the most amazing people and my love and interest for publishing grew and developed into a love and appreciation for project management. In 2011, I was promoted to Associate Project Manager, and in 2013 I was promoted to Senior Project Manager and became an assistant manager, and another potential promotion on the horizon.

From 2010 on, I was able to take my full time experience, as well as the experience I gained from working with different clients on a freelance basis, and tie them both together. I began applying my skills and experience in both places, and was finally lucky enough to say that my hard work was starting to pay off. Then, since my freelance workload had dramatically increased over only a period of six months, I began to see a huge demand for what the services I was currently offering, which was only proofreading, copyediting, and English/Spanish translation at the time. By the end of January 2011, I registered my DBA, J. H. Language Solutions (which stands for “Julie Anne”, my first name, and “Helen”, the first name of my last surviving grandparent) with the state of Massachusetts.

It was official. I owned my own business. I felt on top of the world. One of my lifelong dreams finally came true. One of the first things I did was buy a laptop and opened a business checking account. I spent an hour each morning on the way in on the train and the hour home doing work, getting my name out there, trying to establish a good online and social media presence. Then as time went on, the two to three hours per day wasn’t enough. I began working at home in the morning, at night, and even at a local Starbucks in downtown Boston on my lunch breaks. I established a small business office in my home, which I learned comes along with some pretty nice tax benefits. All in all, it was hard work and I was SO tired every day…but I hit the pillow every night feeling accomplished.

Over the next two years, my business work load grew to an unimaginable amount. Each year I set my own “sales goals”, and exceeded them every time. Each year I also set “business goals”, and have begun meeting and exceeding those as well. One year I developed my blog and website, one year I bought all new technology to help me keep in contact with clients since I certainly spend a lot of time “on the go”. Another year I started attending seminars, networking events, and trying to meet other people in business and get my name out there.

In 2012, I went back to school for my Master’s in Project Management, which also comes with a PMP certification upon program completion. Presently I’m about halfway through the program, with an estimated completion date of spring 2015. Oh, and to date I have a 4.0.

This year, which was probably the biggest hurdle yet, I became insured. After nine long months, I am so incredibly proud to say that as of August 2013, J. H. Language Solutions is a fully insured entity. Next year will be another larger hurdle, and that is to project myself and my business intellectual property and establish legal contracts to work with all my clients.

So now here I am, at the close of 2013 pushing four full years “in business” (though it is officially three under my DBA), and I think about how much I have grown, both my business and as an entrepreneur. I have grown from small proofreading, translation, and copyediting jobs to copywriting, managing blogs and websites, managing content strategies and marketing plans, managing social media marketing and email marketing…and it all started with $5 to open a business checking account, a girl in her mid-20s, and a dream.

So how do I do it all? Whenever people ask me that, I grin and say, “I have excellent time management skills”. And I do. I have to. Some people ask me if and when will I quit Pearson and work as my business full time. And the truthful answer to that is I don’t know. While business is doing well, I have a long way to go before I can open a separate office space and live off what my business brings in after all expenses and taxes are paid. But would I love to? Hell yes. But that is still a long way off, and also a huge risk that I’m not quite ready to take.

But through it all, the ups and downs in business, the challenges and the successes, I can honestly say that through the years I have developed a deep and passionate love for my business. It’s a ton of work, and it’s hard work, but I love each and every second of it. Not because of my own personal and professional success and achievements, but because of the difference I truly believe I make each day in my clients’ projects and in their lives. I am truly thankful for each and every client I work with and have worked with through the years, and I just only hope and pray that it continues. I’d be nowhere today without them. So let the show continue, because I don't want the music to stop.

Local Business Shout Out: Caked By Melissa

What is the most savory and delicious treat you've ever had? You might say your wedding cake, cupcakes you’ve had at a party or other special event, or a birthday cake that featured your favorite characters as a child. Regardless of what comes to your mind, it's nothing compared to the delicious, stylish, creative, and unique items created by Caked By Melissa.

Ms. Melissa Potter, founder of Caked By Melissa, specializes in cupcakes, cookies, and cakes for any occasion (birthday, wedding, baby showers, christenings, and other formal and informal occasions), scones, breads, and the list goes on. Melissa is never afraid to try something new, creative, and unique. In the last several years she began to experiment with different techniques, designs, and flavors.

“My mom taught me to cook when I was little. I’ve been doing cakes for about twelve years or so, but it’s really over the past few years that I’ve been experimenting with more interesting techniques. I love to experiment with new recipes. One of my favorite things to bake are pumpkin craisin cookies because EVERYBODY loves them, and blood orange scones because I love them!”

And it’s true. Anyone who has had the privilege of tasting one of Melissa’s fabulous creations would agree: The pumpkin craisin cookies are to die for. But of all her experience and skill, her favorite things to create are birthday cakes! She loves making birthday cakes because they are personalized to each unique and individual person. Each person has his or her own interests and hobbies whether it’s a specific sports team, a favorite character, or even a beloved family pet.

Of all her creations, Melissa is most proud of a wedding cake she made for two of her closest friends. This particular cake involved multiple techniques that she had never used before, particularly in making the roses. While this certainly took a lot of time and effort, and certainly proved to be a challenge, Melissa knows it was well worth it because she knew it meant a lot to them.

So whether you are planning a party or any type of formal or informal occasion, consider Caked By Melissa for adding a touch of deliciousness and personalization to your next event. Not only are Melissa’s creations one of a kind, they are also delicious. She nails each flavor one at a time, every time. Not matter what it is she makes, it is bound to melt in your mouth.

 © Photo taken by Melissa Potter, Caked By Melissa. 

 © 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Content written and owned by J.H. Language Solutions. Usage by written permission only. Posted and written by and on behalf of a third party with third party permission.

Writer's Block

For all the writers out there, have you ever sat down to write an article for a client or maybe to work on your manuscript and after an hour you still find yourself staring at a blank piece of paper, or maybe the doodle you drew, or the cursor blinking on your screen? Writers dread this, but this phenomenon is more commonly referred to as writer's block.

As a writer, you've probably encountered writer's block at one point or another. For those of you who aren't familiar, what is writer's block exactly? Some people may think it's a myth but in fact, writer's block has actually crippled and even ended some writers' and authors' careers. Whether you are a creative writer by hobby or by profession, writer's block can hit you at any point.

So what do you do about it? Unfortunately, there's no real way to prevent it, but there are some things you can do naturally to spark your creativity and get writing again. 

• Stream of consciousness - Basic yet effective. Sit down with a pen and paper or in front of your computer screen and just start writing. It doesn't have to be beautiful or even make sense, just do it. It can be as basic as "it is cold outside today", or "the grass is green", "my cat is asleep". Just write whatever comes to your mind.

• Practice free association - So maybe you look at that doodle you drew and write something about it. Write whatever comes to your mind. Write down random words that come to your mind and see if they form a sentence or think about how you can form a sentence from them. Or maybe you write down adjectives that describe your mood today. See if you can start a paragraph with those. 

• Take notes - Another great tactic writers often use is note-taking. You may be out shopping or in your car and something may hit you and you have that thought that comes to every writer's mind "oh, that's a great story to write about", "or I can implement XYZ into the characterization or story in my book." Either keep a notebook with you or use the "notes" app on your iPad or Smartphone and take random notes throughout the day, week, whatever. See if you can form those notes into a blog or article later on.

• Spark creativity -  Another thing you may want to do is discover what sparks your creativity or imagination. It may be listening to your favorite song, drinking a lot of coffee, doing yoga or another form of exercise, or maybe just relaxing. One of my favorite tactics is designing a creative board. What you can do is create your own poster board full of magazine clippings or descriptive words or whatever appeals to you and paste them on the board. Once you have completed your board, study it. Study it for about 15 to 20 minutes either before you go to bed at night or first thing when you get up in the morning. In fact, studies have shown that your mind continues to process what you have taken in prior to falling asleep. So when you wake up in the morning, you have a lot of fresh, creative ideas. You don't necessarily have to use a poster board. You could also create a Word document, a Powerpoint presentation, or even use Pinterest as your source of creativity. You could even share your work if you wish and get feedback from friends.
  
  Personally I have found that if I study music or sing before I go to bed, I will often times wake up with unique, original lyrics in the morning, so I write them down. I've also noticed that what really sparks my creativity is first thing in the morning when I'm sitting at my computer listening to music with a cup of coffee. This is the point of the day when I find I get a lot of great ideas for blogs, articles for clients, or even my own ideas for my business. All in all, find out what sparks your creativity and run with it.

• Just write - Easier said than done, right? Wrong. This is similar to the stream of consciousness point mentioned above. Just write whatever comes to your mind. Again, it doesn't have to be flowery language or even make sense. Just put words together and see what happens. Another thing, don't think of how many words you have to write or how long your blog has to be, or how many pages you have to write. If you focus on this, writing loses its creativity and fun and becomes work that you dread. Sure, every writer has those pieces or articles to write that no one looks forward to, but try not to focus on the length. First focus on writing a sentence, then a paragraph, then maybe another paragraph, and watch it grow from there. Worry about structure and grammar later.

So if you are or have ever suffered from writer's block, here are some great ways to get your creative flow back. Some may take more time than others, and some may even take some personal discovery to find out what jogs your creativity or what your brain responds to, but in the end, you will be able to help get out of your writer's block slump or maybe avoid it altogether.



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Written content: © 2010, 2011, 2012, J.H. Language Solutions