Episode 213 – Building Your IMPACT Engine: The Blueprint for High-Performance Teams
Nov 18, 2024
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Laura Barnard, a seasoned expert with nearly 30 years in project management and author of "The Impact Engine," shares her insights on creating high-performance teams. She emphasizes the power of self-driven change, highlighting that successful transformations occur when individuals feel empowered. Laura discusses the importance of mindset, patience in leadership, and strategies for effective stakeholder engagement. She also introduces techniques like the "five whys" to address root causes and build trust, transforming resistance into strong advocacy within project teams.
Successful change management hinges on fostering autonomy and engagement among team members rather than imposing changes upon them.
Effective project leadership requires patience and understanding of individuals' adaptation to change, ensuring collaborative progress throughout the process.
Deep dives
The Importance of Self-Driven Change
People often embrace change when it is self-driven rather than imposed upon them. The key to successful change management lies in recognizing that individuals desire autonomy and a sense of control in their lives. When organizations push changes onto people without involving them in the process, it creates resistance. By engaging individuals and connecting them to the reasons behind the change, organizations can foster a collaborative environment that facilitates smoother transitions.
Embracing a People-Centric Mindset
To effectively implement change, leaders must shift their focus from merely executing projects to understanding the needs and motivations of the people involved. Many project leaders concentrate on the deliverables, often overlooking the importance of addressing the 'why' behind the change. When change initiatives are framed around the interests and concerns of individuals, they are more likely to gain buy-in and cooperation from team members. This people-centric approach not only reduces resistance but also empowers individuals to become active participants in the change process.
The Role of Patience in Leadership
Effective project leadership requires patience, as change takes time to implement and embed within an organization. Leaders who are excited about the future state of a project may inadvertently push too quickly, leaving team members behind. It is vital to manage the pace of change in alignment with how quickly individuals can adapt and understand the new initiatives being introduced. This consideration not only builds trust among team members but also ensures that everyone is on the same page throughout the change journey.
Utilizing Engaging Techniques for Success
Leaders can enhance their effectiveness by employing techniques such as the five whys and one-on-one interviews to identify root causes of issues. The five whys technique allows leaders to delve beneath surface-level complaints to uncover underlying problems that can be addressed more effectively. One-on-one interviews with executives or stakeholders provide valuable insights and can foster open communication. By listening carefully to these individuals, leaders can better align their projects with organizational goals, ultimately driving successful outcomes.
Transform your project teams into high-performance delivery engines! In this episode, we talk with Laura Barnard, author of The IMPACT Engine, who shares her powerful framework for transforming project teams into top-performing teams. Listen in to learn Laura’s insights on creating low-stress, high-impact success in project management, building trust, and adopting valuable strategies for driving successful change and avoiding common project management pitfalls..
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