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How as Project Managers We Can Avoid Becoming a Scapegoat like Kevin McHale

November 19, 2015 by Kenney Myers

So my social media feeds were blowing up yesterday over Kevin McHale getting fired by the Houston Rockets and my immediate thought was “scapegoat.” It got me thinking about how that might be applied to business and specifically project teams at work. Imagine if you will that you are the manager (coach) and you have assembled an amazing team with tons of talent, but they just can’t seem to pull together to produce winning projects or maybe to really even get anything done. If you are that manager here are some suggestion to avoid getting replaced like Kevin McHale:

Find the source of the problem and conflict. It sounds like a super simple idea (and it is) but for some reason people like to avoid conflict and that includes talking about the issues they have with teammates. You can either do this individually or with the whole team but eventually you need the whole team to air it out. For instance, I have led projects where there were problems based on the perception of how hard someone else on the team was working. That caused the rest of the team to not be as motivated. In reality there were things being completed that weren’t clear enough and the “solution” was just communicating more effectively in daily scrum sessions (it was an agile project).
Find out if you have a bunch of ball hogs on your team. In some cases, just like in basketball there are ball hogs on your project team. People that want to hog all the good tasks and/or take all of the glory. If you have a ball hog you may have to intentionally sit them out on some tasks to give the other team members a chance to shine. If the situation doesn’t correct itself you may even have to permanently bench them.
Make sure you have a strategy that plays to the strengths of each team member. There are times when people get confused by the roles they are supposed to be playing on the team (a developer acting like the business owner or a back-end developer acting like a designer). A good manager (coach) needs to clear that up and make sure that the best person for each task is the one executing the task. Maybe you have a shooting guard doing a majority of the ball handling instead of the point guard for instance. That’s not maximizing the individual value of that team member.
You are going to be held accountable for the wins and losses of your team so accept and embrace that responsibility. In the end you have to find a solution that works. Continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different outcome will likely lead to everything unraveling for you and the team. Make changes and do everything you can to position your team for success. Don’t make your demise be the lack of trying different solutions to making it work.
Don’t bank on past wins to be enough for you get a pass on present failures. Kevin McHale just LAST YEAR led the Houston Rockets to the western conference finals. That’s solid! However, in reality it didn’t save him from being fired after a terrible start to the season. So what happened? Daryl Morey accepted his responsibility as a leader to execute on #4 above and try a different solution.

What happened to Kevin McHale is actually pretty common in the business world as well. Having amazing team members alone isn’t enough to make your business or your project successful. You have to constantly be working to get the most out of them. While it’s true that the players/team still has to perform there is no escaping that the project manager is the one likely to hear “You’re FIRED!” Just ask The Donald…

15 Famous Singer/Songwriters Named Ken

November 19, 2015 by Kenney Myers

These 15 musicians were pretty easy for me to come up with since I listen to arguably too much music. Some people though don’t know for instance that Babyface’s given name is Kenneth. Several of the singers on this list won’t come as a surprise to most of you but you never know…

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds – A singer and performer in his own right, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds was also the creative mastermind behind a staggering number of hits through the 1990s and early 2000s. Known primarily for his work in R&B, Edmonds was also a ten-time Grammy winner and a hit producer.
Kenny Rogers – Knowing when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em ensured that Kenny Rogers found a place among country music royalty’s most venerable. With more than 120 hit singles spanning several genres, this Houston native is definitely one of pop culture’s most recognizable and beloved icons.
Ken Block – Vocalist and co-songwriter for the hit rock band Sister Hazel, based out of Gainesville, Florida, Ken Block has seen moderate success with his band over the years. His distinctive voice and the efforts of the rest of Sister Hazel have allowed the group to continue touring and releasing albums for the better part of two decades.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – A blues musician from Shreveport, Louisiana, Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a songwriter, singer and prodigiously talented guitarist. Working with some of the greatest names in the blues genre, Shepherd has enjoyed unprecedented success within blues circles for an artist so young.
Kenny Chesney – Finding a country music fan that isn’t familiar with Kenny Chesney would be a difficult feat, indeed. Soaring to a hugely popular level with his country-boy-meets-Jimmy-Buffett beach bum hit singles, Chesney routinely sells out arenas and releases chart-topping albums.
Kenneth Nixon – The lead singer and co-writer for underground favorites Framing Hanley, Kenneth Nixon’s indie style makes him a heartthrob frontman with serious musical chops.
Ken Ring – A pioneer in the genre of Swedish rap, Ken Ring was born in Kenya, raised in Sweden and is an astoundingly prolific artist. Scads of albums, singles and independent mixtapes are accredited to this Swedish star.
Kenneth Cope – Composing and performing religious music for members of the Latter Day Saints church, Kenneth Cope is a popular musician in LDS and Spiritual music circles.
Kenneth “K.K.” Downing – The guitarist and back-up singer for the iconic heavy metal outfit Judas Priest, K.K. Downing also had a hand in writing many of the bands chart-topping, seminal-to-the-genre hits.
Kenneth McKellar – A popular Scottish tenor trained at the Royal College of Music, Kenneth McKellar began his career as an opera singer. Eventually, he followed his interest in traditional Scottish songs and enjoyed reasonable popularity in the United Kingdom until his death in 2010.
William “Big Kenny” Alphin – One half of the rambunctious country duo Big & Rich, Big Kenny Alphin is a singer and songwriter behind hits like “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” and “Holy Water.” He’s also a figurehead of the Muzik Mafia movement, which aims to gain exposure for talented and unsigned Nashville musicians of any genre.
Kenny Lattimore – The popular R&B singer behind hits like “For You” and “Never Too Busy,” Kenny Lattimore was also a member of the group Maniquin. He’s married to songstress Chante Moore; the two have one son together.
Kenny Loggins – Originally one half of Loggins and Messina, Kenny Loggins may be more easily recognizable as the voice behind “Footloose” from the movie of the same name, and hit tracks from the Top Gun soundtrack “Danger Zone” and “Playing With the Boys.”
Kenny Thomas – A soul singer from Islington, London, Kenny Thomas was nominated for two BRIT Awards, released two chart-topping albums and enjoyed a stint on ITV’s Hit Me Baby One More Time singing contest.
Kenny Washington – A New Orleans native, Kenny Washington is an accomplished vocalist. Though he began his career as a gospel singer, he eventually found his niche as a jazz and blues vocalist.

How to Get Up Off the Couch and Win the Game Like TJ Yates

November 18, 2015 by Kenney Myers

There is something to be said for making the most of every opportunity given to you in life. This past Monday night we saw a great example of that when TJ Yates came off the bench to step in for Brian Hoyer and lead the Houston Texans to victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. What was he doing just a few weeks before that? He was on his couch watching NFL games like the rest of us. After just a two week crash course (or refresher) on the playbook he was called on to lead the offense and it wasn’t flashy by any means but he got the unlikely win over an undefeated Bengals team. Here are just a few of the things we can learn from that to apply to our professional careers:

Keep your mind and skills sharp as you never know when the next opportunity is going to come to you. Especially when you aren’t working (aka got cut from a team), it can be challenging to get motivated to learn new skills and to stay in game shape. However, you never know when a big interview (team tryout) is coming and your game-readiness will be put to the test.
Stay focused on your goals and believe that they can still happen. After struggles or failures it can be really easy to give up on your dreams and sometimes that is in reality what you need to do. However, if you are still in your prime and think there is a shot then don’t give up until you have exhausted all of your options. If you don’t believe in yourself and your chances then nobody else will either.
Once your big break comes that isn’t the time to let up, you need to bust your butt to learn the playbook. When you get a new opportunity it’s time to show the people that hired you that you are willing to do whatever it takes to help the organization win. The faster you get back up to speed and learn the policies, procedures, and strategies the more likely you are to help the business win.
Play the role the organization needs you to play. Every position on the team is important whether it’s the backup quarterback spot or starting role. What is important is if your organization needs you to step up and make a big presentation or fill in on a project for a client, you jump in with both feet and give it your all letting everyone know that they can count on you when they need you the most.
Some things just seem to be meant to be. For TJ Yates, he seems to be destined to beat the Bengals. Last time he had a great run in 2011 as a rookie he stepped in due to an injury and beat them not once, but twice (he won a playoff game against them as well). You never know who your Bengals might be maybe it’s that competitor your organization is always up against that has been crushing it lately (undefeated and always winning the business). Maybe you are the difference maker that can lead your team to victory over your competitor consistently.

I don’t know but there is just something magical about what TJ Yates accomplished on Monday night. It’s a story that many can relate to because it’s about stepping up and making the most out of the opportunities that life throws your way. So ask yourself this… are you ready? What are you doing to make sure that when your organization needs you to step up, you lead them to victory?

7 Strategies for Forgetful Folks

November 18, 2015 by Kenney Myers

From remembering where you put your keys to keeping a mental note of your grocery list without leaving an item out, it’s not always easy to remember the details of everyday life in such a hectic, fast-paced world. Some people tend to be more forgetful than others, though, potentially causing stress and anxiety when important tasks and items fall to the wayside. These seven pointers can help you remember details, both important and trivial, and get out of the stressful loop that is forgetfulness.

Get Organized – If your forgetfulness manifests itself through an inability to keep up with things, you may be suffering more from a lack of organization than a lack of memory. Find a home for your keys, wallet, phone and other important items, and put them back in that dedicated place every time you put them away. You may not remember that you tossed your keys on the kitchen table, your phone on the nightstand and left your wallet in yesterday’s pants because the items are so scattered. If they’re all in a dedicated place when you need them, you won’t find yourself scrambling to round them up on your way out the door.
Put Your Smartphone to Work for You – Set alarms to remind you of time-sensitive tasks, put calendar apps to good use, find a to-do list app that you like and get committed to using it. The mobile device in your pocket can be a powerful tool for keeping you on top of important events and due dates, and most people tend to sorely under-use these features. You can also install brain-training games and apps that actively improve brain function and short term memory while you’re waiting in line, in waiting rooms and using mass transit to commute to and from work.
Slow Your Multi-Tasking Roll – If you try to manage too many tasks, some things are sure to fall to the wayside. Try to slow down, and take on only the number of tasks you can easily accomplish at one time. You’ll probably find that, when you’re able to concentrate fully, the quality of your work and productivity improve right alongside your memory.
Take Notes and Make Lists – Some people find it easier to get everything done and keep track of everything they need to remember by taking notes of important events and making detailed to-do lists. In addition to having a written record of everything you need to do, you’ll also have the satisfaction of crossing each thing off of your list as it’s completed.
Set Up Triggers – Set yourself up for memory success by leaving trigger clues to remind you of the things you need to do. If you’re trying to remember to bring a change of clothes to work so you can hit the gym on your way home, set them on top of your briefcase. Leave a laundry basket in the kitchen so you will be reminded to move the wet clothes from the washing machine into the dryer while you’re prepping for dinner. Leaving this trail of breadcrumbs will keep visual reminders around you, helping you to remember what you’re doing and when it needs to be done.
Use Names After Introductions – Few things are as embarrassing in a social situation as forgetting the name of someone you’ve already been introduced to. Help your brain retain the names of people you meet by making a point of using their names soon after the introduction. Instead of saying, “Nice to meet you,” make a habit of saying, “Nice to meet you, Jane.” You’ll cement their name into your memory through speaking it out loud, reducing the likelihood of your forgetting it later.
Ask for Reminders – Asking friends and family members to remind you of important details not only gives you the help you need, but may even help you to remember the task yourself because you’ve made a point of acknowledging it and speaking it out loud. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner, children or friends to remind you of important dates, upcoming events or tasks you need to complete. Most people will be happy to help you, and you may find that you don’t need their assistance after all because you’ve made a point of acknowledging the situation.

5 Business Lessons We Can All Learn from Ronda Rousey

November 17, 2015 by Kenney Myers

It’s never easy being the champion or leader in your industry. You constantly are looking over your shoulder as challengers pop up trying to take what you worked so hard to build and attain. They may be leaner than you and they may be hungrier than you which can be a very dangerous combination. They may also have training, skills, and experience that you don’t have. Recently, UFC champion Ronda Rousey was believed to be unbeatable. However, last Saturday night she wasn’t just beaten she was destroyed by challenger Holly Holm getting knocked out in the second round of their fight. I believe that we can all learn some lessons from Ronda Rousey to apply to our businesses and professional lives.

Don’t believe all of the hype. Your business may be all the rage with you getting amazing press coverage, large blogs, or even major National news on a regular basis. That’s all great, but the danger is in once you start believing all of that hype and start thinking that you are actually unbeatable (I think this was a major contributor to Ronda Rousey’s loss). There is an obvious advantage to being the incumbent but that hardly means you can’t be challenged. One thing is for sure, everyone and every business can be beaten.
Stay sharp and constantly challenge yourself to learn more and get better. Ronda Rousey put together a good team of coaches but she didn’t get world class striking/kickboxing training (if she did she ignored it completely). Holly Holm is a heavily decorated boxer/kickboxer and knowing this Ronda really needed to spend time focused on her opponent’s strengths.
Don’t run around chasing your opponent allowing them to control or manipulate your time. In the fight, Ronda was chasing after Holly Holm and completely allowing Holly to control the pace and style of the fight. If you allow your competition to dictate the pace plus how you fight your chances of beating them are not good. Try to focus on your strengths and get them to fight you on your terms.
Don’t block punches with your face. As Ronda found out she actually was not indestructible. She repeatedly got punched/kicked in the face and eventually that led to her getting knocked out. If you allow your competitor to keep hitting you and knocking off your clients one at a time or beating you in one market at a time, eventually they will take you out. You need a proper defense to block their attacks as often as you possibly can.
Talk is cheap and isn’t going to be enough. You can talk like the champ but that is simply not going to help you when you are in the heat of battle. You have to be able to back up the strong words and banter. Better yet, just let your actions do the talking for you. If you are the leader in your industry act like it but also stay as hungry as possible. You have to work hard to stay on top because you can be sure your competition is busting their butts.

There are a lot of other lessons that we can learn but in the end Ronda Rousey is fortunate because she will absolutely get a shot to get her title back. In business, rarely are we that lucky. If your competitor knocks you out you could be permanently down for the count. What are you doing today to make sure that doesn’t happen to you or your business?

How Big Was That Deal? Embellish Much? How Do You Reel it In?

November 16, 2015 by Kenney Myers

We all know that whether it’s a great fishing story, hunting story, or business deal the details are often a bit fuzzy and seem to only get fuzzier over time. It’s usually not that big of a deal and just like with fishing stories some exaggeration is expected even in business (plus or minus 10%). However, if you stretch the truth too much or too often it’s very likely to result in a loss of credibility that may be impossible to recover from. So what do you do if you find yourself in the position of getting caught adding some size to that deal you landed in order to impress a new client or to get a new job?

Immediately come clean – whatever you do, it’s important to never dig the hole you are in any deeper. It’s way easier to recover if you just come clean and explain your spin as best you can (saying you were wrong indicates that your integrity matters to you). Whoever you are talking to will respect that a lot more than you might imagine.
Accept that deals come in all sizes – focus on the deals you did get because even if they aren’t gigantic that really shouldn’t be the point. If you landed the deal and delivered on it well then that small deal could easily turn into something bigger down the road. This isn’t one of those trite “size doesn’t matter” points, of course it does when it comes to business deals. However, what matters more to new clients and employers is regardless of the size you made the most of every deal.
Come clean even if it isn’t you that exaggerated. I find quite often that it’s the people I am with that tend to stretch the size of a deal or accomplishment (even if it is about something I have done or we have done together). What is intended as flattery actually just brings you into something that you need to clear up. It’s better to politely correct them while still supporting the point they were trying to make. Don’t be guilty by association.

Nobody is perfect and there will be times when you honestly don’t remember the details as well as you may like. If the details are fuzzy then wait and get back to anyone that is asking questions until you have the facts or clearly tell them “don’t quote me on this” because then you have at least set their expectations properly.

In the end having the integrity to come clean and reel in any exaggerations will pay off in catching way bigger fish/deals down the road. If somehow telling the truth is a problem then frankly that’s probably telling you a lot more about the person listening than it is about you. Guard your integrity as you would your life because otherwise people are just not going to want to have you in there boats.