The Phil & Lauren Podcast’s Post

From Stage Right to On Time: Balancing Creativity with Efficiency in Project Management … Swapping the hustle and bustle of backstage life for the seemingly structured world of project management was a leap of faith. Coming from a background in theatre and film studies, I thrived on improvisation, embraced chaos, and constantly chased that elusive spark of inspiration. Project management, on the other hand, seemed like the antithesis of everything I knew. It was deadlines, budgets, and meticulous planning. But here's the thing: the best productions are a beautiful marriage of both creativity and efficiency. The director's vision has to be brought to life within a set timeframe and budget. Actors need to be adaptable, and unexpected set malfunctions require quick thinking. Project management, in its essence, is about creating a framework for controlled creativity. In my next post, I'll delve deeper into how I bridged the gap between these two seemingly opposing worlds, and how you can foster a creative project management style that fosters innovation without sacrificing efficiency. …

Project managers — chaos is your canvas. Amid all those insane deadlines and constant changes, remember: You’re the glue holding it all together. Celebrate your small wins. Your big breakthrough is on its way. Keep pushing. 💪

Check out my interview with David Horowitz, the CEO of Retrium. We talked about project management, retrospectives, distributed teams, and the future of the project management field. Thanks for hosting me, David!

A great project manager is the conductor of chaos, orchestrating success through a symphony of strategy, communication, and adaptability, turning every challenge into a harmonious achievement.

Creativity vs. Structure: A project management dilemma worth solving As a project manager, you need to get results. You need to drive projects to completion, on-time, within budget & requirements. But, how do you balance creativity and structure within this equation? The usual response is to pick one side: - Creativity: Allow open-ended possibilities. - Structure: Stick to strict timelines and rigid plans. But, creativity and structure are not enemies. They are partners, and you need both to get results. A creative team without structure will produce chaos. A structured team without creativity will produce monotony. What works is a healthy balance. - Define the scope & requirements (structure) - Foster creativity within the defined scope (creativity) - Define milestones and timelines (structure) - Encourage new ideas during team meetings (creativity) So, the next time you're in a team meeting, don't be afraid to say, "let's explore this idea further, but let's make sure it aligns with our scope and timeline."

Want some more tips on finding a job as a project manager? Here's a video with Anna Anderson and I talking about using LinkedIn to find your next post. Also be sure to check out Anna's new course "Succeeding in Project Management as an Introvert" (https://lnkd.in/gV5jfBzA)

Stakeholder is one word you use everyday as a project manager. Stakeholders are individuals, group or organization that may affect, be affected or perceived to be affected by a project. Some stakeholders are Positively affected or negatively affected. The most important Stakeholder is the CUSTOMER!

Embrace the "One-Hand Rule" in project management: always have a free hand to high-five team members for their hard work, but also ready to give a gentle tap to keep projects on track! What project management hacks do you use to keep your team motivated?

A good PM should always kill their job. Many project managers see themselves as the bridge between stakeholders and engineering teams. As a PM, your primary role should be to ensure your team can communicate and function independently. Facilitate direct communication with clients and focus on removing obstacles. Empower your team to take ownership and get the work done. Build self-sufficient teams that perform on their own! It's like making your team work so well that your job becomes redundant.

Its weekend and its movie time, a Classic Bollywood blockbuster "3 Idiots" holds the unexpected parallels between project management & its epic storyline. You know, just like how Rancho in "3 Idiots" approaches problems with this insatiable curiosity? I've learned that it's super important for a project manager to dig deep and understand every aspect of a problem. It's like Rancho's thirst for knowledge - leave no stone unturned! Rancho's mantra, "All is well" - It's like taking a breather and looking at the bigger picture. Sometimes you need to step back to see things clearly. That's what helps project managers gain perspective and make smarter decisions. Ah, the power of friendship and trust, just like Rancho had with Farhan and Raju! Trusting your team is key for a project manager. So yeah, "3 Idiots" isn't just a fun movie; it's packed with some serious life lessons that can really amp up a project manager's mental game!