Beyond Deadlines: Building Leaders, Culture, and More

👋 Hey, Kyle here! Welcome to The Influential Project Manager, a weekly newsletter covering the essentials of successful project leadership.

I recently had the opportunity to join the Beyond Deadlines podcast with Micah Piippo to talk about leadership, culture, and strategy. Check it out to hear our conversation.

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Building Leaders Kyle Nitchen’s Blueprint for Success

Challenge

Addressing cultural issues and improving project delivery within a large construction contractor presents a significant leadership challenge. On this week's episode we're joined by Kyle Nitchen Senior Project Manager and author of The Influential Project Manager. A must follow newsletter that provides weekly essays filled with strategic ideas, frameworks, and tools that will empower you to lead successful projects with confidence.

Kyle's been hired as the VP of construction at a large general contractor. The contractor has said their main issues are delivering projects on time and feel it's rooted in a cultural issue. How do go about fixing it?

Key Takeaways

1. Crystal-clear Mission: Establishing a precise mission statement is critical for guiding the team towards common goals. Ambiguity can lead to misalignment and hinder progress. Leaders must ensure everyone understands the mission's purpose and relevance.

2. Adaptive Leadership: Leadership isn't about authority but influence. Leading by example, embodying desired behaviors, and effectively communicating the mission's why are foundational to inspiring and guiding team members.

3. Strategic Planning and Flexibility: Developing strategic plans with clear KPIs and timelines is vital. However, it's equally crucial to remain flexible and agile in response to unforeseen challenges. Shortening planning cycles and embracing change management strategies are key.

4. Cultivating High-Performance Culture: Creating a culture of ownership and continuous improvement fosters innovation and drives results. Tactics such as setting up book clubs, organizing internal training sessions, and establishing friendly competitions can enhance team engagement and motivation.

Tactical Takeaway

Establish a monthly internal training session where team members take turns presenting on topics of interest or expertise. This fosters knowledge sharing, skill development, and a sense of ownership among team members, ultimately contributing to a culture of growth and excellence.

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