CHALLENGE OUR WAY OF THINKING

PROJECT PLANNING AND OVERSIGHT

Coffee run as project challenge

Imagine that you are tasked with taking a coffee order for 20 people in 3 different locations with various forms of payment and other specific details. Imagine that you were being assessed by these 20 stakeholders on getting the order right, staying within all the constraints and requirements (i.e. delivered hot, as ordered and on time) and that they gave you $30 max. How would you begin? How would you mitigate the risks (ensure that the baristas made the drinks correctly, or that everyone got the drink at the temperature they requested)? 

Truth is, something will mess it up. You will be judged! And that's ok. In fact, that's the best part of learning how to manage all the components of a complex problem and project. 

From very early in my career, I have relied on problem-solving and project management best practice and techniques to succeed in life and business. It is an innate part of me that has evolved from necessity, resourcefulness and a need to believe that I am in control of outcomes. Ha!

Together, we can identify how you can use your own experiences and survival tactics to get any job done. Then we'll blow that up and look at how to do it another way.

CUSTOMS (AKA OPERATIONS) APPRAISAL

Everyone's job is important

How we work is very personal. We each bring a unique perspective on how tasks should be done. These methods derive from our biases, preferences, habits, ideas and some learned techniques or "best practice".

The tools we use to work more efficiently can be cross-functional or for a single repetitive task. Often, we only utilize 10% or less of a tools true value only to add additional tools without fully exhausting those we already have. Quicker, cheaper, faster isn't always best. 

On the flip side, you may not have any tools that work for you or your organization, and that's a problem too.   

How do we think about our relationship to the tools that we use for our work? Do our work customs and tools relate to the values and purpose of our organization?  How do we introduce our values into new customs and reach our goals with the tools we have?

Does the current infrastructure work for everyone in the organization? Are some solutions weaker than others? Why? Let's take a look and talk about it.

CHANGE RECEPTION

a dependable truth.

Fact: Change is happening all the time. Accepting change with grace and integrity is sometimes hard and possible with the right perspective and support.

As an advocate and champion for transformation, I always question and gently blur the boundaries around me and welcome change and all that it brings with it. I am able to and help others navigate uncomfortable, ambiguous and complex landscapes with patience, calm and consistent dedication to the broader strategy.

A lot of us, myself included, feel that we can't or don't want to move through change with finesse and honesty. That, in some way, a perceived "negative" change in our work or personal lives are an indication of failure or a misstep. In fact, they are likely the opposite and the indications and possibilities for growth; of liberation and new opportunity

Part of the purpose of change is to figure out how to receive the discomfort and discover opportunities for real happiness. I like to call that renewal. 

Change is the only dependable truth that we can rely on. Learning how to work with change takes time and practice.