Lessons Learned - Are You Learning from Your Projects?

As a career Project Manager, I know and understand the value of learning from my projects. I am always looking to learn about new approaches, tools and solutions to common issues. I also like the opportunity of working on projects in different industries, which provides me with a view into new and challenging problems that need to be solved. This is the established foundation for my mantra of “always be learning.”

Here are a couple of the many lessons that I have learned:

• Ask yourself “Is it a tragedy or an inconvenience?”

  • Recently while reading a book from Harvard Business Review Press called “Emotional Intelligence: Mindfulness”. I really found myself drawn to one of the scenarios that was included in the book. A Manager was upset with something that just occurred with a team member. The author suggested that the Manager take a minute to ask the above question. I would bet that the answer is usually “an inconvenience.” Am I right? Lesson: As Project Managers, we are often faced with surprises or issues that could impact the project. As you gain more experience, you learn to anticipate certain events and have responses planned in advance. However, I really liked the idea of adding this question to my discussions with team members, colleagues and stakeholders when we are reviewing issues and challenges.

• Making the commitment to listen. Really listen.

  • I’m sure that you have found yourself trying to discuss an issue, problem or solution with the top of someone’e head. You know who I mean. The team member, stakeholder, colleague or manager who won’t put their device down to have this discussion with you. We have all heard about the fact that we need to listen more. But I don’t see a lot of information about how to listen. Good listening skills include making eye contact, being attentive, removing any distractions (like devices) and although we don’t want to interrupt the speaker, we do want to ask clarifying questions. This will ensure that we understand the message while also conveying to the speaker that we hear them and we are absorbing the message. Lesson: Distractions are all around us. They may come in the form of a device, a barking dog, or prepping for our next meeting. Let’s make sure that we are truly listening to the speaker and understanding their message. It’s easy to do and can be meaningful and impactful to your team members and colleagues.

These are just a couple of the entries from my long list of lessons learned. I hope that by sharing these lessons, you will learn as well. Just another example of the power of project management!