Modelling Your Code of Conduct

Most organizations have a Code of Conduct, but have you taken the time to read it? While it might not seem thrilling, understanding and embodying these guidelines during challenging times will ensure that your team operates under a unified standard. Many escalations stem from poor behaviors, and if your organization has established these standards, it's vital to adhere to them. If you're new to a company, make it a point to familiarize yourself with these guidelines.

Modelling Your Corporate Values

Your organization’s values serve as a guiding principle, shorter and more digestible than the Code of Conduct. By embodying these values, you eliminate concerns about how others perceive you, allowing you to integrate smoothly into the team. Familiar values from companies like Microsoft and Citi serve as excellent examples of clarity and sensibility, contributing to a positive workplace culture.

Building Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Teams

Diversity is a pressing topic, but many of us struggle with its implementation. While visible traits are often at the forefront of diversity discussions, it’s essential to recognize that diverse teams engage in constructive disagreements and resolve differences collaboratively. Rejecting candidates based on cultural fit may hinder diversity. Celebrating differences is crucial.

Equity differs from equality. A recent example highlighted this well: three team members excelled and were recommended for a $100 meal expense each. While it seemed equal, it wasn’t equitable, as the cost of living varies significantly between locations. Inclusion means everyone feels part of the team and can contribute, even if contributions vary in magnitude.

Making People Decisions with the Relevant Teams

In larger organizations, projects often necessitate specialist input, which can lead to missteps if not handled collaboratively. For instance, if a chief architect is involved, hiring an architect without their input can create multiple issues. You risk missing out on critical expertise, damaging interdepartmental relationships, and facing performance challenges alone.

Being a Reliable Leader

Reliability is fundamental. Ensure you follow through on commitments with prompt email responses, timely action completion, and transparent communication about challenges. Establishing reliability can significantly reduce avoidable issues.

Being an Effective Communicator

Effective communication is a multi-faceted skill. Consider how much time you dedicate to listening to your team leaders, members, stakeholders, and customers. Understanding their priorities and concerns is vital. If you find yourself spending little time listening, it's a clear indication that improvement is needed.

Making Consensus-Based Decisions

During my time at the United Nations, I witnessed the effort required for consensus-based decision-making. Regardless of the context, understanding who needs to agree on decisions is crucial to avoid future roadblocks. Utilizing tools like Bain's RAPID for decision-making helps clarify who must validate decisions, ensuring smoother operations.

Seeking and Gaining Continuous Alignment

Alignment is a continuous process that evolves alongside your project. Establishing strong relationships and governance methods is essential to maintain alignment as circumstances change. Both agile and waterfall methodologies assist in daily alignment, but as a PM, you must keep an eye on the broader strategic direction.

Using High-Quality Data for Confidence

While "working software is the primary measure of progress" is a common notion in Agile, it's essential to recognize that this is a narrow view. As a PM, your role is to deliver successfully, which means understanding all contributing factors. Reliable data is essential for tracking progress and identifying potential issues early.

Managing Teams Remotely

Remote management is increasingly important. To lead effectively, develop strategies that enhance your ability to oversee teams. Regular check-ins and 1:1s are essential, as is fostering a culture where team members support each other.

Managing Your Visibility in Remote Working

Your remote presence is crucial. It's no longer as simple as having casual desk conversations. Stakeholders need to know you're in control, so develop methods to maintain open communication and visibility.

Dealing with Conflict

Conflict is inevitable in diverse teams. Establish a culture that encourages conflict resolution through models like SEED, equipping your teams with tools to manage disagreements constructively.

Managing Escalations Effectively

Escalations are an unavoidable part of project management. You can’t prevent them, but you can handle them professionally. Key elements include clear communication, appropriate involvement of stakeholders, and a focus on constructive outcomes.

Coaching Others for High Performance

Coaching involves a balance between guiding individuals and allowing them to find their own solutions. Utilize established coaching models like GROW and invest in developing problem-solving techniques.

Managing Poor Behaviors and Performance

Addressing poor performance swiftly is vital to maintaining team morale and respect. Foster a learning environment while holding team members accountable for toxic behaviors.

Standards, Controls, and Frameworks

All teams must operate within a structured environment. Understanding the compliance landscape and knowing whom to consult for decisions is critical for success.

Scaling Yourself

As a PM, you must empower a capable leadership team to manage larger projects. Consider employing a robust Project Management Office (PMO), Design Authority, and Delivery Lead to ensure efficient operations.

Optimizing Team Effectiveness

Using models like the six conditions model can help assess team effectiveness. Strive for continuous improvement while recognizing that effectiveness may plateau.

Strong Team Practices

Every project, regardless of methodology, can benefit from strong practices. Encourage your team to learn from successes and failures, adapting their approaches as necessary.

Assurance

You can't monitor every detail in large teams. Embrace assurance processes to gauge readiness and identify potential issues early.

Stakeholder Management Skills

Navigating the complexities of stakeholder relationships is essential. Focus on building rapport, managing conflicts, and striving for win-win outcomes.

Personal Knowledge Management

Maintaining a personal knowledge management system can be invaluable. Tools are less important than the habits of writing, linking ideas, and ensuring your notes are accessible.

Summary

To excel as a project or product leader, you must prioritize the development of soft skills. It's not the latest methodologies that will set you apart, but your ability to cultivate these essential skills over time.

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