The Project Leader Studio™

Learning to lead by leading
-- a coaching program for project managerss

Conversation with Authors Series

We are so pleased to offer this series of conversations with the authors of books we use in our leadership programs. We came upon this idea in our leadership work with executives and project mangers. We were conducting our usual plus-delta review at the end of a three-day event. We asked, "What else could we do for you?" We received a resounding reply, "Put us in front of these authors." And so this series was born.

We invited authors of books that have been important in the work we do. In all cases leaders in our programs have praised the quality of the thinking and their enjoyment reading and discussing these texts.

We decided to open these discussions to other clients, prospects, and friends. We are keeping it free. The only cost to a participant is the telephone call. We have a very special offer for anyone on the call. Biz Book Summaries has agreed to prepare a 9-12 page summary of each text. We will make these available about two weeks before each teleconference. We are doing this at no charge. Why? Because we think that these authors represent a shift in the thinking about how to deliver projects successfully. We can go further - they make key distinctions that give leaders new capability - the idea that these are more than shifts in thinking as they report advances in practice. We're doing our part to spread the word.

So sign-up now. We will stay in contact with you by email. We will contact you a few weeks before each session to make the book summary available and to have you confirm your participation on the up-coming call. Space is limited. So we ask that you only sign-up for the calls you will attend. And for those you have to miss, we will provide a recording that you can listen to over the Internet and share with your colleagues.

Now take a look at who's coming your way. Block the time for each teleconference on your calendar. Do it now. Get your own copy of these books. Don't put off learning from the very best!

The Blind Men and the Elephant:
Mastering Project Work

David Schmaltz is our first guest author. His book The Blind Men and the Elephant: Mastering Project Work has caught folks off-guard. This is not a typical book on project management. Calling David atypical understates his orthogonal views on the subject. He is controversial, unabashed, and challenges our beliefs in every conversation. We couldn't think of a better way to start the series. Have a look for yourself: True North pgs.

You won't find any worksheets, diagrams, flow charts, procedures, instructions, or textbook problems in this book. Schmaltz gives us something more valuable and memorable: fresh ways to think about how we approach and manage projects. Read the complete Slashdot Review.

Embracing Uncertainty:
The Essence of Leadership

Philip Clampitt and Bob DeKoch are the two authors of this very important book. You've heard us say time and again, the future is uncertain and unknowable. These authors take it one step further, embrace uncertainty. Their book started as a series of articles exploring the dilemma of planning -- no matter how much effort goes into planning it always seems to come out differently. This book is a gem. And so are the authors.

The Idea Generator:
Quick and Easy Kaizen

We are so pleased to have this next author in the series. We call Norman Bodek the godfather of the lean movement outside of Japan. He is the person responsible for publishing English translations of the works of Taiichi Ohno, Shigeo Shingo, and Seiichi Nakajima, the people behind the venerable Toyota Production System. Norman just returned from his 57th visit to Japan. His book, The Idea Generator: Quick and Easy Kaizen, brings the continuous improvement approach behind Toyota's competitive dominance to the world. Companies who have adopted his approach are reporting orders of magnitude changes in level of employee engagement and financial results. Not bad for a $27.50 investment. Make your investment today!

Agile Management for Software Engineering
Applying the Theory of Constraints for Business Results

David J. Anderson is the author of a book that is targeted for the software community. That is too bad. David brings a perspective to project delivery that all who do knowledge work will benefit. While he writes on software engineering substitute any design activity and the advice is good. He maintains a companion site to his book, Agile Management, and an outstanding weblog.

Lean Thinking:
Banish Waste and
Create Wealth in Your Corporation

Authors James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones made the lean principles mainstream. Lean Thinking is a follow-on book to their very popular The Machine that Changed the World. Jim Womack will be joining us for the teleconference. He is provocative and entertaining. We've had the pleasure of working with Jim. This is bound to be a highlight of the series.

The Trusted Leader

The foundation of all successful teams is trust. The individual responsible for ensuring and growing that trust is the leader. We finish this series underscoring the foundation. Authors Robert Galford and Anne Seibold Drapeau offer a model of trust that provides leaders at all levels with a road map for building a trusting organization. Learn more about Rob's and Anne's work at The Trusted Leader. While you're there, take the trust test.

The Project Leader Studio™ is one of the leadership programs offered by Lean Project Consulting, Inc. We also conduct programs for executives who are leading a lean transformation of their company's project delivery organization. Write us to learn more about the Lean Company Leadership (Shusa) Program.

© 2003 Lean Project Consulting, Inc. Greg Howell and Hal Macomber