Recently in PMI Global Congress 2008—North America Category

When you have to walk to a convention center in the dark and start your day with a stiff dose of caffeine before the sun reflects off the Front Range to the west, you need a laugh ... and some inspirational learning. Monday's breakfast speaker at global congress provided both.
    Connie Podesta had attendees rolling in the aisles as she divided the audience into squares, triangles, circles and squiggles--and proceeded to tell everyone their negative characteristics. Circles never stop talking and are too perky in the morning, triangles are obsessive-compulsive ... you get the idea.
    The point was that as project leaders, you have to be able to understand all different types of people. And we all need to make choices. Being happy is your job, Podesta said, not your boss's or parent's concern. If your organization provides a respectful, positive environment and listens to people, team members will choose to be happy ... or not.
    In the hotel elevator, Podesta heard some PMI folks complaining about the congress (the size of the convention center, the food, etc., etc.). "Did you ever stop to think what an unbelievable project it is to put on an event fro 4,000 people? How many think PMI did a good job?" I'm happy to report a loud round of applause greeted this question, because it has been an incredible amount of work for my PMI colleagues and the Mile-Hi Chapter volunteers. Always acknowledge good work was that lesson.

Six of the eight council members attended North American Congress in Denver: (from left to right) Hal Macomber, Elizabeth Harrin, Dave Garret, Chalyce Nollsch, Cornelius Fichtner and Josh Nankivel














This year's congress served as the launching point for PMI's New Media Council, a group of project management industry bloggers and podcasters that have an influence in the online space. The panel was initiated to help PMI understand new and emerging trends in the profession, especially those being discussed in social and new media channels.

PMI believes it is important to continuously engage industry bloggers, podcasters, and other new media content generators to maintain their interest in and support PMI. More importantly, thought, the new council is a means to increase collaboration with these online thought leaders--and their audiences--with regard to PMI's efforts as an organization and issues that affect the industry. And because these individuals were willing to participate in the council, PMI made it possible for them to experience congress and provide feedback on the event.

PMI plans to regularly solicit the council's opinion on important matters as another means of gaining input on what project managers need.

The eight influential voices that make up this council are:
Cornelius Fichtner, The Project Management Podcast
Dave Garrett, Gantthead
Elizabeth Harrin, A Girl's Guide to Project Management
Hal Macomber, Reforming Project Management
Jerry Manas, PMThink!
Josh Nankivel, PM Student
Chalyce Nollsch, PM Boulevard
Raven Young, Raven's Brain

Please join the discussion online and help improve communication within PMI and to keep move the industry forward.

In today's Congress Connections (Tuesday Congress Connections.pdf), we cover the election results and new board members; reveal PMI's New Media Council; and rundown the list of bonus sessions.

How do you create a big event for celebrating a major PMI chapter milestone?
    Well, for PMI's Mile-Hi Chapter in Denver, Colorado, USA, we built its 30th anniversary around PMI's Global Congress 2008--North America, which was coming to Denver in October.
    A first step in setting the stage was to invite PMI president and CEO Gregory Balestrero to keynote the celebration.
    Mr. Balestrero graciously accepted.
    The date was set for 15 October, the evening prior to the beginning of the Leadership Institute and the same day that a number of PMI leaders from around the world would be arriving in town.
    Along with Mr Balestrero, more than 20 PMI leaders joined the Mile-Hi Chapter for networking and dinner.
    Visiting dignitaries included members of PMI Board of Directors, leadership of PMI chapters throughout Region 6, former presidents and leadership from the Mile-Hi Chapter's 30 years, (such as Martin VanDerSchouw, former PMI Mile-Hi Chapter president and current member of the PMI Board of Directors), and internationally from as far away as Nigeria.
    Chima Ockere, Ph.D., president of the PMI Nigeria Chapter, was a special guest of the Mile-Hi Chapter, celebrating the long-term sister relationship between the two chapters.
    Additionally, a 30 percent discount off regular dinner prices for a Mile-Hi monthly chapter meeting was offered. A capacity crowd of 300 attended for the event, which was sold out four days early.

PMI staff member Valerie Carter scans badges for the popular opening session with General Powell.







Every day here in Denver, I just want to say "wow." Today was no exception.
    General Colin Powell opened as keynote for the PMI global congress. He shared numerous stories about his experience and demonstrated that he is a pretty good comedic vocal impersonator!
    General Powell talked a lot about leadership and its relevancy to project management. It's about followership, trust and facing reality. "You know you are a good leader if your troops follow you out of curiosity!
    At the end, General Powell answered some pre-submitted questions from the audience, including one about inclusiveness. "In 25 years, America's majority will not be white Protestants," hinting at recent research studies that predict that today's majority will be come the minority. "Leaders must represent their consitiuency. They must have empathy and understand those they represent."
    Given that General Powell demonstrated such vision and strategic thought in his words today, it makes one think even more about the decision he made earlier in the day regarding his endorsement of a U.S. presidential candidate. "Study the issues, study your conscience, and make your choice."

I really enjoyed Saturday afternoon's Individual Leadership Development topic "If This Was Easy Someone Else Would Be Doing It." Michael Flint and Herman Gonzalez of the Southern Ontario Chapter teamed up for their top 10 reasons why component leadership is not easy. Their management challenges, in order of importance, were:
1. Focus
2. Communications
3. Customer Expectations (Chapter members are customers!)
4. Component Scope
5. Vision
6. External Competition and Collaboration
7. Internal Competition and Collaboration
8. Time Expectations
9. Funding
10. Volunteers
    I had two great takeaways. First, chapter management is really about managing a business and chapters can fall into the trap of being managed like projects. (We are, after all, project managers.)
    Second, consider having dinner meetings earlier, free and "without the dinners." Free, non-dinner chapter meetings could save money, might actually produce a higher turnout because they are free, and could get everyone home in time for Desperate Housewives--just kidding. But early, free, non-dinner meetings might be a great idea heading into these financially troubling times.
    I spoke to Herman, chapter president, after the session and he told me that their free, non-dinner meetings were very successful. They improved attendance and were actually "more profitable."  

Gen. Powell's keynote speech at congress knocked my socks off. Judging from the incredible spontaneous and thunderous standing ovations at the beginning and end of his talk he knocked off a whole lot of socks. His amazing stories of military and diplomatic life and leadership lessons resonated with everyone.

But it turns out not quite everyone had the same total reaction. Walking out of the Wells Fargo Theater, I made a few observations that reminded me that people come from different places in this world, literally and figuratively. One gentleman from the United Kingdom was heard telling his U.S. friend that he didn't like the speech because some aspects of it (particularly stories about the invasion of Panama) reminded him of the United States as, in his view, an overbearing military presence in the world.

After hearing that I looked around and noticed that attendees appearing to come from Latin America were not nearly as "juiced up" as others in the audience.

In the reception afterwards, someone told me that their friend from Europe felt that the general did not have it right when he said Europe is safer now than it had ever been.

I'm a native-born U.S. citizen, I thought Gen. Powell's presence was one fo the best I had ever heard. It gave me hope; it ramped up the excitement for the congress. But I can definitely see where the feelings of non-U.S. citizens are coming from.

Even among U.S. citizens, it appeared that Gen. Powell's presence was controversial. The general had appeared on television this morning to endorse a presidential candidate; several attendees unveiled a red sign at the beginning of his talk that said, "We've lost an American hero." The attendee who told me this served in the military and was very upset by this sign, all politics aside.

Gen. Powell, however, was not fazed. He told the audience that some people may strongly agree while others may disagree with his politics, but he wanted people to weigh the options and make up their own minds.

No one can contest Gen. Powell's leadership skills and charisma. His speaking style is fabulous--he was funny and personable. But the reactions I saw afterward that were different than mine reminded me of the importance of remembering that people come from different places. For project leaders of global teams, it is always key to keep this top-of-mind and be sensitive to differences. With respect, we can all work together and learn. 

In today's Congress Connections (Monday Congress Connections.pdf), we recap the keynote address by General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.) and talk to congress-goers about what they thought. We also summarize the results of the Research and Standards Working Sessions, highlight PMI president and CEO Gregory Balestrero's new blog and much more.

Hot off his highly promoted appearance (and U.S. presidential endorsement) on NBC's Meet the Press, Gen. Colin L. Powell USA, (Ret.), served as the kickoff for this year's North America congress, joking as he began, "I've had a long and busy day."   
    It was the largest and most excited crowd--a few people even brought homemade posters--I have ever seen at a congress opening session. And in my opinion they were not let down.
    Gen. Powell entertained the crowd with his impressions of California governor/celebrity Arnold Schwarzenegger and former U.S. President Ronald Regan (they were actually pretty spot-on), his favorite war stories and interesting tidbits of what it was like to serve as a U.S. National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.
    He also, however, imparted some wisdom about leadership that could be applied to just about any project environment. There were many lessons to take away, but here are five that stuck with me:
1. At the end of the day you have to convince a bunch of followers to do what you want them to do--and that they want to do it.
2. Take care of the troops. If you talk the game, you have to walk it with them. You have to provide them the tools and training they need to succeed.
3. Inspire your followers so they are self-motivated. They should come in every day and want to help you get the job done.
4. Reward and recognize. Although money is obvious, very often it's just a matter of saying, "you're doing a great job." And never underestimate the power of a handwritten note.
5. Be an example of morale and physical courage. Your word is your bond and your service should be selfless.