Communication skills in Project Management

Summary

In the video script, Zach, a project manager, grapples with the harsh reality of project failures, where only one in eight succeeds. Despite his expertise, he faces challenges with people issues, highlighted by his strained relationship with Malcolm. The script emphasizes the importance of communication skills and introduces NLP as a solution to turn the tide of project management. Change Quest offers to enhance project success rates with their NLP-enhanced approach.

Takeaways

• 😌 Zach is a project manager who takes pride in his profession, recognizing the importance of project managers in getting things done.
• 😔 Despite the pride, Zach is unhappy due to statistics showing a high rate of project failure, with only one in eight projects being successful.
• 🔢 Project managers are trained in process thinking and are good at quantifying resources, but this approach struggles with the people issues that often arise in projects.
• 🤔 Zach's perception of Malcolm's disinterest during a presentation leads to assumptions that could negatively impact the project.
• 📈 The 'ladder of inference' concept is introduced, showing how quickly assumptions can be made without awareness, affecting project outcomes.
• 🤝 The narrative suggests that better communication skills are crucial for project managers to deal with people issues effectively.
• 💡 Change Quest offers a solution by suggesting the addition of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) skills to project management skills.
• 📈 By integrating NLP, project managers can potentially increase the success rate of their projects and avoid becoming part of the failure statistics.
• 📞 The script ends with a call to action, inviting interested parties to contact Change Quest for more information on improving project management success.
• 🧠 The importance of being aware of how people's thoughts, which are invisible, can significantly affect their actions and project outcomes is highlighted.
• 👥 The story of Zach and Malcolm serves as an example of the interpersonal dynamics that can occur in project management and the need for improved communication.

Q & A

What is the profession of Zach in the script?

Zach is a project manager.

How does Zach feel about being a project manager?

Zach is proud of his profession and feels privileged to be a member of a well-trained and highly skilled group.

What statistics does the script mention regarding the success rate of projects?

The script states that only one out of every eight projects is successful, and almost 1/3 are canceled before completion.

What is the main challenge faced by project managers like Zach when dealing with people issues?

The main challenge is that process thinking, which project managers are experts in, often fails when confronted by day-to-day people issues.

What is the term used in the script to describe the process of making assumptions quickly without being aware of it?

The term used is 'ladder of inference'.

Why does Zach believe Malcolm doesn't respect him?

Zach believes this because Malcolm appears bored and disinterested during Zach's presentation to the senior management team.

What impact do Zach's assumptions about Malcolm have on the project?

Zach's assumptions lead him to avoid including Malcolm in future meetings, which could potentially create more problems for the project.

What does the script suggest as a solution to improve project management skills?

The script suggests adding NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) skills to the project management skill set to ensure project success.

What is the name of the company offering the solution to improve project management skills?

The company offering the solution is called Change Quest.

How can one find out more about the solution provided by Change Quest?

One can find out more by calling Change Quest.