We often get stuck in the Project Management rat-race, so it’s nice to step back and take some time getting to know each other. New friends, new stories!
Since moving the PMChat time, we’ve seen more of our UK/EU friends joining in. I love it! So in this week’s chat, we shared our practices, aspirations, upcoming challenges and things we’ve learned.
I’ve listed the questions below, then followed with my own replies (in italics). Enjoy!
Q1. How long have you been in your current role and what do you like most about it?
Q2. *Let’s blow our own trumpets* What’s your dream Project Management role? What are your stand out skills and attributes that make you suited for this role?
Q3. What have been your biggest professional challenges over the past 90 days?
Q4. What is the most important lesson that you have learned over the past 90 days?
Q5. Looking ahead to the next 90 days, what will be the biggest challenge that you will need to deal with?
Q6. Looking around the world right now, what are the headline-grabbing projects that catch your attention? What appeals to you about them?
Q7. If you could spend 90 days with anyone – living or dead – who would it be and why?
A1. I’m currently contracting to NTT Security, running a series of strategic projects for the Tokyo head office, across Australia, Singapore, and Europe. I’ve been with the company for 12 months, following 2 years with sister-company Dimension Data.
With DD and NTTS, I’ve been lucky enough to work in Singapore and South Africa, while also leading teams in North America and UK/EU. It’s been a brilliant ride 
A2. I love working on complex, international projects & am itching to work for an extended period in UK/Europe.
My big thing is breaking down complexity, connecting with people and helping them see how they fit into the picture (giving them an emotional stake).
A3. I was recently given a Sydney office construction project (100 seats) – extremely high profile within the company, a regional showcase. Thing is, I’ve never done construction. Aaagh! Learning EVERYTHING on the job? Oh yeah!
My foundation Project Management principles are the same, but the language, methodology, deliverables and expectations are all new. I feel like I’m starting out all over again
A4. I’ve been reminded that our stakeholders want us to succeed. They hate uncertainty & want to invest their trust & authority in us.
If we conduct ourselves with confidence and provide stability and clarity, they will help us
A5. I’ll be juggling the uncertainty of working through the Kafkaesque maze of government, regulatory and landlord permits, with the absolute certainty that concrete will be poured on a certain day and time!
A6. I’m genuinely excited by 1. Mars colonisation & 2. commercialisation of space travel. I love that Project Management can bring Elon Musk’s audacity to life – he puts out visionary ideas & then relies on smart people to invent/deliver changes needed to get there
A7. Charles Dickens – he taught me to see the humanity in people, regardless of their circumstances. Abraham Lincoln – courage, leadership and a rock solid ability to bring people along with him on an insanely, impossibly difficult, morally certain change journey.
That’s my 90 days. How about you? I’d love to hear where the next few months will take you in your practice.