Margaret Meloni

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How Did I Get Here? (Random thoughts on project management)

From starting out as an accidental project manager to leading with compassion. Kate Kurzawska of timecamp helps me take a stroll down memory lane as we discuss how I became a project manager. In this candid interview, Kate encouraged me to discuss one of my biggest disappointments in the workplace, my inspirations and how to set personal and professional priorities.

I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast discussion as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Please click here to listen or cut and paste this url into your favorite browser.

  • https://www.timecamp.com/blog/index.php/2018/01/stay-top-work-margaret-meloni-podcast-episode-7/

Stay on Top of Your Work With Margaret Meloni! [PODCAST EPISODE #7]

 

Filed Under: Communication, Inspirational Tagged With: Podcast, Project Management, timecamp, workplace

By Margaret Meloni Leave a Comment

Can a Project Manager be Mindful?

Have you ever had that moment, when out of nowhere you suddenly knew why your sponsor was so upset during your budget presentation?

That could be YOU being mindful.

When an idea pops into your head, and it feels like it came from nowhere, that moment BEFORE you start putting all kinds of mental parameters around it – that is mindfulness.

Mindfulness is present time awareness. Mindfulness is nonjudgmental observation.

Mindfulness is also becoming an overused buzzword. You can find articles on mindfulness in top business publications, the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, INC. and others.
Is it just the latest fad or is there something to it?

I am thrilled to appear on Episode #400 of The PM Podcast to discuss Mindfulness for Project Managers. Listen in while Cornelius Fichtner and I discuss how mindfulness and project management go together.

Just click here

Or cut and paste this link into your favorite browser: www.project-management-podcast.com/index.php/podcast-episodes/episode-details/766-episode-400-mindfulness-for-project-managers

Thank you for listening!

I hope you are able to bring a bit of mindfulness into your day.

Filed Under: Inspirational Tagged With: mindful project management, mindfulness, mindfulness at work

By Margaret Meloni Leave a Comment

Meet Hatred with Love

Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world. It is appeased only by compassion. This is the eternal truth (Dhamma).
From the Dhammapada, Verse 5

Let’s meet hatred with love and compassion.

Some days meeting hatred with love means saying, “I disagree with your opinion, but I support your right to your opinion”.
Other days meeting hatred with love means keeping silent because your compassion cannot find a path from your heart to your mouth.

Some days meeting hatred with love means listening to someone tell you why they hate foreigners or members of a particular race or religious group.
Other days meeting hatred with love means telling someone why you refuse to hate foreigners or members of a particular race or religious group.

Some days meeting hatred with love means voting with your wallet and refusing to support organizations who participate in discrimination.
Other days meeting hatred with love means meditating on your own biases, because everyone has some degree of bias.

Some days meeting hatred with love means standing up to a friend or family member, even when it is difficult to do so.
Other days meeting hatred with love means reaching out to those who are victims of hateful speech or hate crimes.

On no day does meeting hatred with love mean responding with violence or cruelty.

But every day is an opportunity to meet hatred with love.

Filed Under: Inspirational Tagged With: compassion, hatred, love, meeting hatred with love

By Margaret Meloni Leave a Comment

Are You Telling Stories?

Not long ago, Lori Lee from Love Your Story; helped us to understand the power of using stories to help inspire our team members. It can be so challenging to create the energy, enthusiasm and commitment to move forward with a project. After all, YOUR project is not the only project people are working on

And why should YOUR project be the reason that they miss another family dinner or evening out with friends?

While Lori reminds us that storytelling is an ancient craft, it is just as powerful today as it was so long ago. I will always remember one of my favorite people. A well-seasoned Information Technology guy who had done it all and seen it all. He was unimpressed by MOST of the people and projects around him. Yet one day, he came to me excited about a new project. This was very unusual. He proceeded to tell me all about the kick-off meeting. Now, that was funny, he HATED ALL MEETINGS.

But at this meeting, the project sponsor attended and told the team the story of how the idea for this project came about. He told the story of what would be different when this project would be completed. He showed pictures of the new product that customers would fall in love with. And with that, my well-seasoned IT guy fell in love with the project.

Today, with special thanks to Lori, I would like to share with you my guest appearance on her Love Your Story podcast. Where she graciously allowed me to share my story of learning how to tell stories. At first, I was definitely NOT a natural.

Listen now by visiting

  • www.loveyourstorypodcast.com/episode-43-interview-margaret-meloni-transitioning-story-business

And to revisit Lori’s guest blog post on pmStudent, please visit: www.pmstudent.com/upon-time-not-just-kids-anymore

Wishing you all interesting stories!

Filed Under: Inspirational Tagged With: creating vision, paint a picture, set a vision, telling stories

By Margaret Meloni Leave a Comment

Silence is NOT Always Golden

“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” – G.B. Stern

Have you ever heard this from a leader?

“If I do not yell at you, it means you are doing a good job. Go about your business and be happy that I am not yelling at you.”

OR

“You get paid for being here; I have not said you are doing a bad job; what do you want from me?”

What some people want is to know that their efforts are appreciated. This is not an unreasonable request.

This might be a good time to consider whether or not this individual is really a leader or are they simply someone with a title and a higher position on the organizational chart?

Less hostile, but still not exhibiting strong leadership is the person who simply assumes that you know that you are appreciated. They never express it, because you should just know. As-If you are capable of mind reading.

Some people are not just motivated by salary, advancement and challenging opportunities. Some people receive more value from positive reinforcement and recognition than they do from a monetary reward.

A sincere thank you goes a long way. Tell your team members and colleagues that you appreciate them. Be specific. To say, “I appreciate you,” is good. To say, “I appreciate the way in which you are able to redirect our executive team when they get off track,” is better. It is always good to take the opportunity in the moment to let someone know when he or she exhibit a skill or do something special that you appreciate.

Appreciation is an important part of your communication plan. Consider placing reminders in your communication plan to show appreciation to your team. This could be a special day when you bring in treats just because or you write them notes describing something that you appreciate about them. Maybe you have a surprise pizza party.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t keep your appreciation to yourself. This is not the time to be quiet!

 

 

Filed Under: Communication, Inspirational, Leadership Tagged With: appreciated, appreciation, gratitude, please, thank you

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Being a project manager is no easy endeavor. You have to master BOTH the hard skills and the soft skills. You have to know how to create and manage project quality, project scope, schedule and budget AND create a high performing team. That is NOT easy. AND keep your certification current (or pursue your certification).

If only you had a trusted advisor and access to quick and easy tips and techniques and affordable and flexible training, created just for project managers. The good news is that you do!

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