This podcast episode discusses applying emotional intelligence (EI) concepts to project management. The speakers focus on practical tools and techniques to improve communication, team building, and project success by understanding and addressing the needs of individuals within a project team.
The podcast suggests several ways to identify your learning style:
Self-assessment: There are online tests available to assess your learning style.
Observation during presentations: Observe your own behavior during presentations. If you focus on visuals, you're likely a visual learner; if you read slides carefully, you're likely a reading learner; if you listen intently without looking at slides, you're likely an auditory learner; if you take extensive notes, you might be tactile or kinesthetic. If you have trouble sitting still and take notes, you may be a kinesthetic learner.
The podcast offers these tips for writing minutes everyone will read:
Timeliness: Distribute minutes as quickly as possible after the meeting (within 24 hours is ideal).
Attendee List: Include the attendee list upfront, as people often look for their names. This is also good for record-keeping.
Outline Format: Structure minutes in outline form. This provides a summary for visual learners, allows for the use of color-coding or other visual aids, and provides a complete text for reading learners.
Avoid Links and Attachments: Don't just send a link to the minutes or attach a formatted document. Include the full text of the minutes within the email itself.
Prioritize Key Decisions: Place the most important decisions and action items at the beginning of the minutes, as readers may not always read the entire document.
Conciseness: Keep the minutes concise and easy to read, avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly detailed descriptions.
The podcast identifies several motivators for project team members:
Trust: Feeling trusted to do their job and knowing their manager is there to support them.
Money: While a motivator, the effect of a raise is short-lived (lasting only about two pay periods).
Learning: The opportunity to learn new things, particularly the latest technologies ("bleeding edge") or skills relevant to their roles.
Teaching: The chance to share their knowledge and expertise with others. However, this needs to be managed carefully; if not channeled appropriately, it can disrupt team workflow.
The "power of heroes" is a technique suggested for understanding team member motivation and as an icebreaker, particularly for new teams. The question posed is: "Who is someone you really admire?" (It doesn't have to be a real person). The answers reveal insights into individual values and aspirations, helping managers understand what motivates team members. For instance, those who admire Batman might prefer independent work, while those who admire Superman might be more focused on contributing to the greater good of the team or project.
When cultural intelligence meets emotional intelligence, it creates a more nuanced and effective approach to project management. The combination results in a proactive, thoughtful process where project managers observe, consider, and respond appropriately rather than reacting impulsively. It emphasizes understanding different cultural perspectives and communication styles, allowing for tailored responses that foster better relationships and project outcomes. The manager thinks before acting, doing their homework, listening, watching, and responding appropriately to the specific context and individuals involved.
The speaker suggests that listeners should take away and try the following:
Learning Styles: Apply the understanding of different learning styles to improve communication effectiveness. Tailor your communication methods to suit the learning preferences of individuals and the team as a whole.
Cultural Intelligence: Develop an understanding of cultural intelligence and actively apply the "head, body, heart" approach to working with diverse teams. Actively seek out resources to learn more about understanding and navigating different cultural norms and expectations.
Practical application of EI: Use the discussed tools and techniques to make emotional intelligence a more concrete and integrated part of their project management practice.
