Learning Project Management from “Reality Shows”

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Just as many people can’t help but wonder about the consequences of severe car accidents, millions of Americans watched the first season of NBC’s show \"Celebrity Apprentice\" to see a group of celebrities exaggerating their performances in an attempt to use their not-so-great business skills to win over the show’s host, Donald Trump. Who could resist such a TV show – broadcast during prime time, featuring many celebrities, with 11 other people eager to become stars showing off their talents in order to win praise and a charitable donation of $250,000 provided by Trump. When it comes to working more effectively, watching a reality TV show like that certainly isn’t of much use to businessmen. However, the truly strategic content may be hidden behind the superficial rhetoric. In addition to using celebrities to attract viewers, this television program also offers valuable insights into how to become an effective project manager. It’s not as simple as it seems. “Getting the team to complete the right tasks quickly is the essence of project management. ”said Sid Kemp. He is a consulting advisor and the author of the best-selling book \"The Ultimate Guide to Project Management.\" “This is why shows like \"Celebrity Apprentice\" offer such valuable insights, despite being so unrealistic. ” “ This type of program illustrates the fact that the foundation of doing business lies in people and relationships. It is an interesting study of human nature. ” said Tim Jenkins. He is the CEO of Point B, a company that provides consulting services in project leadership. So put aside any doubts for now and consider the best practices in project management, many of which were selected from the scenarios in the show \"The Apprentice\". Implementing these suggestions does not require a famous background; they are rooted in solid principles and are applicable to the real business world that project managers may encounter. While this won’t get you on the stage of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’, it can certainly help you become a star in the field of project management. ■Determine whether the project prioritizes utility or efficiency. It’s either this or that, says business consulting advisor Tom Danowski. Projects aimed at improving efficiency are usually designed to find better ways of doing things in order to reduce costs. And those utility-focused projects aim to develop through innovation – “to do something different from what we have done before.” ”Creating differences can bring a project to the forefront. ■Determine whether the project aligns with the company’s goals. Danowski said, “It’s important to consider what others ask you to do within the bigger context.” You need to connect the project to broader goals, to establish a clear link between them. ” ■Be the point guard. Successful leaders are willing to work behind the scenes, directing the attacks, while others do most of the scoring. Jenkins said, “On ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ people often assume that just by being in charge or giving instructions, they will demonstrate their leadership skills.” But in reality, that is rarely advocated. ” ■Use emotional intelligence earlier. Rory Cohen, an expert in idea implementation, says that to get team members on board, it is necessary to encourage everyone to submit their own ideal plans and discuss how the project will proceed and how the goals will be achieved. ■Dare to face the obstacles ahead. The team may not agree with or fully understand the ultimate goal of the project. In any case, it is the responsibility of the project manager to ensure that everyone works toward the goal, said Kape; you can view this as an opportunity to showcase their skills. ■ Think like a psychologist. Psychologist Joyce Brother believes that \"it’s important to invest in relationships with team members, so that you can understand what motivates them.\" ”It is the project manager’s undeniable responsibility, said Jenkins. Redirecting participants’ self-awareness toward positive aspects is the biggest challenge for project managers, Cohen added; one should not try to suppress it. “You need people with self-awareness, as they will work harder.” ” ■Examine your own self-awareness. The best project managers are willing to set aside their self-awareness and help team members complete their tasks, says Jenkins. “If people see you working on their behalf, they will be more willing to do something for you. ” ■Identify the key external stakeholders. It is crucial to know who holds the decision-making power in financing or other key aspects of a project, says Danoski. It is also helpful to maintain friendly relationships with their assistants and middle managers, as it is they who will likely use the plans or processes developed by your team. ■Disseminate news. By using communication tools such as internal blogs and mass email, it’s a good idea to have the stakeholders appear frequently in updates on project progress, thereby keeping their interest alive. ■Be a smart negotiator. Don’t strive to win every battle. “You need to understand what the ultimate goal of the game is,” said Jenkins. “Realizing that giving up on one negotiating point might help achieve a bigger goal along the way. ” ■Don’t take shortcuts. Do not compromise on moral **or commercial value issues. A mindset of pursuing victory at all costs will bring trouble. ■Rewards and celebrations. After achieving success, reward the team members publicly. “Children’s sense of self needs rewards. ”Cohen said. A simple but meaningful expression is usually sufficient, such as recognition in front of colleagues or an email from the company president. Remember, you are operating in a real business environment, with very little in common with reality TV shows. It is not realistic to use reality TV shows to develop business acumen; therefore, let’s simply draw on the true value inherent in the show \"Celebrity Apprentice\": to see the mistakes people might make when managing projects and people. Original source: \"Chuangye Bang\" Article by David Port, (Translated by Liang Xiaoping) This post was last edited by wtianzhiw on 2009-3-23 08:36]