This was a thought provoking talk on project leadership that is aimed to help one to lead oneself and others more effectively in a project context. In this talk, Susanne Madsen discussed the differences between management and leadership and how it relates to a project manager. Delegates learned to avoid fire fighting, unhappy clients and project failure and instead use the project they are currently working on to propel themselves to the next level. Through powerful strategies, Susanne showed how one can increase performance, become a project leader, and differentiate oneself from the competition. No matter one's role or level of experience there were powerful lessons to be learned from this talk: Understanding the differences between management and leadership Applying the strategies that will make you a project leader Building effective relationships with stakeholders Building a highly motivated team Continuously improving and innovating Expanding comfort zones Asking for feedback Focussing on the 20% of activities that add to 80% of results

1. Susanne Madsen
Project Management Leadership
- Are we too busy with the urgent to focus on the
important?

2. Susanne Madsen
§ 17+ years experience as a project and
programme manager
§ Managed programmes of up to $30m
§ PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner
§ Corporate and Executive Coach
§ Trainer, Speaker, Consultant
§ Published book “The Project
Management Coaching Workbook –
Six Steps to Unleashing Your Potential”

3. Management Leadership
LeadershipManagement
§ Task-oriented
§ Skills-based
§ Events and processes
§ Methods, calculations
§ Authority
§ Rational thinking
§ Knows it all
§ Tell
§ Push
§ People-oriented
§ Attitude and behaviour
§ Visionary
§ Inspirational
§ Motivational
§ Values others
§ Empowers others
§ Ask
§ Pull

4. III IV
II I
PEOPLE FOCUS
Leading through people
Inspire people to follow
Pull
TASK FOCUS
Leading through tasks
Authority based
Push
PRO-ACTIVE
Focus on the project's strategic vision
REACTIVE
Focus on immediate issues
Pro-active task management
- Risk management
- Planning
- Quality Assurance
Pro-active people management
- Relationship building
- Leading and motivating the team
- Proving vision and direction
Reactive task management
- Urgent issue resolution
- Defect handling
- Fire-fighting
Reactive people management
- Interpersonal conflict
- People management issues
The Project Leadership Matrix™
Project
Leadership
x

5. The VIP Model™
§ Lead with Vision
§ Work with Intent
§ Connect with People

6. Lead with Vision – how to do it?
§ Understand your client’s business
§ Focus on needs rather than wants
§ Co-own the business case
§ Consider tactical AND strategic drivers
§ Continuously improve and innovate
§ Dare to stand out and take risks
§ Ask: What if?

7. The Time Management Triangle™
2. Firefighting
Crisis
Deadlines
Urgent Issues
Urgent Queries
Interpersonal Conflict
-
3. Time Wasting
Interruptions
Trivia
Unimportant Mail
Unimportant Calls
Time Wasting Activities
1. Proactive
Planning
Risk Mitigation
Project Definition
Relationship Building
Challenging Status Quo
Project Controls & Reviews
Big picture view; setting the vision

8. Work with Intent – how to do it?
§ Eat that Frog!
§ Learn to say “No”
§ Start your day with 90 minutes of clear focus!
§ Check email less frequently
§ Am I inventing things to do to avoid the important?
§ Am I being productive or just active?
§ Eliminate time waste, interruptions and multitasking
§ Use Pareto’s Principle (the 80/20 rule)
§ Delegate; train others to take on more responsibility

9. Success without Stress
§ Time management – focus on the important
§ Accept that you cannot know it all or do it all
§ Delegate and trust others to provide the solution
§ Ask for help when needed
§ Meditate and centre yourself (quiet time)

10. A Typical Story...
How Project Management Coaching Helped Lisa
§ Felt overwhelmed; worked long
hours; didn’t feel in control; had
no-one to delegate to; couldn’t say
“no”.
§ Started training and delegating to
others and focusing on the 20%
that added to 80% of her results.
§ Put emphasis on project planning,
risk mitigation, team leading and
stakeholder management.
§ As a result, projects are successfully delivered on time.
§ Leaves the office at 6pm and feels more fulfilled and happy.

11. Connect with People – how to do it?
§ Prioritise people – also those who work remotely!
§ Schedule one-2-one meetings for their benefit
§ Find out what they like most/least about their job
§ Involve people in the decisions that affect them
§ Ask questions – don’t just tell people what to do!
§ Praise people for a job well done!

12. Power and Influence Matrix
Allies
High
Low
Low High
Power and
Influence
Supportiveness
Opponents
Walk into the lion’s cage!

13. Managing senior stakeholders
§ It is your responsibility to ensure your
communication is understood
§ Spend time getting to know each
stakeholder
§ Ask questions and listen
§ Be honest!
§ Partner with them and communicate in a
way which suits them

14. 1. How can I better lead with Vision?
2. How can I spend my time more proactively?
3. How can I better inspire my team to contribute?
4. What are the 20% that contribute to 80% of my results?
5. Which important activities have I been putting off?
6. Who do I need to spend more time with?
7. What if..?
Ask Insightful Questions

15. Are you ready to expand your comfort zone
X
X
X

16. Ask for Feedback!
§ Ask three questions
1. What should I stop doing?
2. What should I start doing?
3. What should I continue to do?
§ Ask your main client or stakeholder
1. What are you concerned about?
2. How would you like me to keep you updated?
§ Ask your team
1. How can I better support and challenge you?

17. FREE Access to Project Management Resources
To get FREE access please go to
www.susannemadsen.com and register your interest
§ Get access to my personal project management
resources
§ Templates, Worksheets, Webinars, and links to the
best project management forums
§ Risks & Issues log, Project Initiation Document,
Steering Committee Presentation etc.

18. Connect with Susanne
www.susannemadsen.com
Twitter @SusanneMadsen
Connect on LinkedIn
By: Susanne Madsen
©2012, 8.5” x 11” softcover, 236 pages
Available on Amazon and on Kindle.

19. The Power of Project Leadership – out soon!
©2014. Kogan Page
“Susanne's
book
clearly
demonstrates
the
insights
and
tools
to
become
an
inspira8onal
leader.
Highly
recommended.
All
my
team
have
a
copy.
I'm
that
confident
of
the
effect
it
will
have
on
my
business.”
Paul
Daniels,
Managing
Director,
Leadership
and
Management
Ltd.