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Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 1 www.psqtconference.com A Training, Leadership and Mentoring Organization A Training, Leadership and Mentoring Organization WHY Project LEADERS FAIL WHY Project LEADERS FAIL © 2005 Successful Strategies International, Inc.

Why Leaders Fail

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Page 1: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 1 www.psqtconference.com

A Training, Leadership and Mentoring OrganizationA Training, Leadership and Mentoring Organization�

WHY Project LEADERS FAILWHY Project LEADERS FAIL

© 2005 Successful Strategies International, Inc.

Page 2: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 2 www.psqtconference.com

• Greatest skills leaders can have• Top five contributors to leadership failure • Main cause of leadership failure • The role of the leader• How leaders can become more effective

• Greatest skills leaders can have• Top five contributors to leadership failure • Main cause of leadership failure • The role of the leader• How leaders can become more effective

Page 3: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 3 www.psqtconference.com

Over the years, studies have been conducted on why projects fail…

Over the years, studies have been conducted on why projects fail…

Not adequately defining the objectives for the project

Not adequately defining the objectives for the project

Page 4: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 4 www.psqtconference.com

One area overlooked when evaluating project failure?

One area overlooked when evaluating project failure?

The Failure of LeadershipThe Failure of Leadership

Page 5: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 5 www.psqtconference.com

What is the greatest skill a leader can have?

What is the greatest skill a leader can have?

Page 6: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 6 www.psqtconference.com

The greatest skill a leader can have?The greatest skill a leader can have?

The basic ability to connect and get along with other people.The basic ability to connect and get along with other people.

August, 2005, CIO Magazine, by Edward Prewitt

Page 7: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 7 www.psqtconference.com

The Worst Manager you ever worked for…The Worst Manager you ever worked for…

A group of 250 IT Employees(who manage at least 10 staffers)were surveyed about the worst manager they ever worked for.

A group of 250 IT Employees(who manage at least 10 staffers)were surveyed about the worst manager they ever worked for.

Source: 2003 Chaos Study by the Standish Group

Page 8: Why Leaders Fail

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The Survey Says…The Survey Says…

Poor Interpersonal Skills 58%

Self Centeredness 56%

Failure to Acknowledge Problems 55%

Untrustworthiness 54%

Weak Management Skills 52%

Poor Interpersonal Skills 58%

Self Centeredness 56%

Failure to Acknowledge Problems 55%

Untrustworthiness 54%

Weak Management Skills 52%

The top five contributors to leadership failure:The top five contributors to leadership failure:

Source: Cutter Consortium

Page 9: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 9 www.psqtconference.com

Main cause of Leadership Failure today?

Main cause of Leadership Failure today?

Page 10: Why Leaders Fail

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Main cause of Leadership Failure today…Main cause of Leadership Failure today…

A lack of…A lack of…

Emotional ability and interpersonal skills are not something easily learned.Emotional ability and interpersonal skills are not something easily learned.

Cutter Consortium Management Psychologist, D. Caruso

Page 11: Why Leaders Fail

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…is often the distinguishing factor between great and

average performers.

…is often the distinguishing factor between great and

average performers.

Harvard Business Review article titled “What Makes a Leader”, 1998

Page 12: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 12 www.psqtconference.com

The Role of the LeaderThe Role of the Leader

• One of the most critical responsibilities as a leader is selecting the mangers in your organization.

• The strength of your managerial staff will determine the fate of your organization.

• One of the most critical responsibilities as a leader is selecting the mangers in your organization.

• The strength of your managerial staff will determine the fate of your organization.

Page 13: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 13 www.psqtconference.com

The Role of the LeaderThe Role of the Leader

About 35% of new managers and executives failed in their jobs within the first 18 months during 2004

Success in management and leadership is all about people and relationships.

About 35% of new managers and executives failed in their jobs within the first 18 months during 2004

Success in management and leadership is all about people and relationships.

“Failing New Managers” by Don Blohowiak, August 2005

Page 14: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 14 www.psqtconference.com

The Role of the LeaderThe Role of the Leader

• Letting new managers fail is demoralizing to them and your staff

• It’s viewed as a strike against you• Interrupts your organizations productivity• The success of managers is not only

important to the organization but to your career advancement as well

• Letting new managers fail is demoralizing to them and your staff

• It’s viewed as a strike against you• Interrupts your organizations productivity• The success of managers is not only

important to the organization but to your career advancement as well

Page 15: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 15 www.psqtconference.com

Additional reasons for Leadership Failure today?

Additional reasons for Leadership Failure today?

Page 16: Why Leaders Fail

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Additional reasons for Leadership Failure today…Additional reasons for Leadership Failure today…

Firing someone for nonperformance without proper support to succeed is as glaring an indictment of the manager as it is the employee. Both fail.

Firing someone for nonperformance without proper support to succeed is as glaring an indictment of the manager as it is the employee. Both fail.

“When Leaders Fail” by Bob Rue, 2002

Page 17: Why Leaders Fail

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“Leaders are frequently “too busy” to pay much attention to the development of their most critical resource – their employees.”

“Leaders are frequently “too busy” to pay much attention to the development of their most critical resource – their employees.”

“When Leaders Fail” by Bob Rue, 2002

Page 18: Why Leaders Fail

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Additional reasons for Leadership Failure today…Additional reasons for Leadership Failure today…

• Leaders do not share their vision • Typically talk more than they listen• Hubris and Arrogance• Lack of inspiration• No open door policy• Personal Opinion influences decisions• Lack of trust

• Leaders do not share their vision • Typically talk more than they listen• Hubris and Arrogance• Lack of inspiration• No open door policy• Personal Opinion influences decisions• Lack of trust

Nic Paton, October 2004

Page 19: Why Leaders Fail

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How can leaders become more effective?

Ask 6 difficult questions

How can leaders become more effective?

Ask 6 difficult questions

“Why Do Many Leaders Fail”, by Bob Rosner, May 2005

Page 20: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 20 www.psqtconference.com

How is that working for you?How is that working for you?

• One question that most of us don’t ask ourselves nearly enough

• 360 Evaluations where employees can rate their boss

• No reason NOT to know how you are doing as a leader

• One question that most of us don’t ask ourselves nearly enough

• 360 Evaluations where employees can rate their boss

• No reason NOT to know how you are doing as a leader

Page 21: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 21 www.psqtconference.com

Where are you vulnerable?Where are you vulnerable?

11 “derailers” or behaviors that can undo a leader:11 “derailers” or behaviors that can undo a leader:

1. Arrogance2. Melodrama3. Volatility4. Excessive Caution5. Habitual Disgust6. Aloofness

1. Arrogance2. Melodrama3. Volatility4. Excessive Caution5. Habitual Disgust6. Aloofness

7. Mischievousness8. Eccentricity9. Passive Resistance10.Perfectionism11.Eagerness to Please

7. Mischievousness8. Eccentricity9. Passive Resistance10.Perfectionism11.Eagerness to Please

Page 22: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 22 www.psqtconference.com

Do you analyze the adversity you are facing?Do you analyze the adversity you are facing?

• Learn from your mistakes• What patterns can you spot?• What behaviors got you into trouble before?• What did your critics say that ended up

being right?

• Learn from your mistakes• What patterns can you spot?• What behaviors got you into trouble before?• What did your critics say that ended up

being right?

Page 23: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 23 www.psqtconference.com

Do you listen to your customer?Do you listen to your customer?

• Customers focus on getting more for less• Important to see every interaction as a focus

group where you can learn something new

• Customers focus on getting more for less• Important to see every interaction as a focus

group where you can learn something new

Page 24: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 24 www.psqtconference.com

Do you have a mentor/confidant?Do you have a mentor/confidant?

• “Reverse Mentoring” – Bosses learn from young workers about what its

like on the front lines to learn about the challenges they face

• Point of view of a younger worker can differ from an older boss

• Everyone can profit by being mentored by someone

• “Reverse Mentoring” – Bosses learn from young workers about what its

like on the front lines to learn about the challenges they face

• Point of view of a younger worker can differ from an older boss

• Everyone can profit by being mentored by someone

Page 25: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 25 www.psqtconference.com

Do you force yourself to change?Do you force yourself to change?

• As we get older, we get set in our ways• The only difference between a rut and a

grave is the depth

• As we get older, we get set in our ways• The only difference between a rut and a

grave is the depth

Page 26: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 26 www.psqtconference.com

“Leaders who can show trust, respect and appreciation are more likely to keep employees and if they can achieve that much, performance levels are also likely to increase.”

“Leaders who can show trust, respect and appreciation are more likely to keep employees and if they can achieve that much, performance levels are also likely to increase.”

Mary Chapman, CMI Chief Executive, October 2004

Page 27: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 27 www.psqtconference.com

• Companies must develop and learn from best practices regarding leadership

• Create organizational cultures that foster performance, pride and fun

• Build solid relationships between employer and employee

• Leaders need to be effective communicators

• Companies must develop and learn from best practices regarding leadership

• Create organizational cultures that foster performance, pride and fun

• Build solid relationships between employer and employee

• Leaders need to be effective communicators

Page 28: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 28 www.psqtconference.com

The World is FlatBy Thomas L. Friedman

Writing & Speaking at Work: A Practical Guide to Business CommunicationBy Edward Bailey

Say It With Presentations: How to Design and Deliver Successful Business PresentationsBy Gene Zelazny

FreakonomicsBy Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Daubner

The World is FlatBy Thomas L. Friedman

Writing & Speaking at Work: A Practical Guide to Business CommunicationBy Edward Bailey

Say It With Presentations: How to Design and Deliver Successful Business PresentationsBy Gene Zelazny

FreakonomicsBy Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Daubner

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Page 29: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 29 www.psqtconference.com

The following websites contain information for project managers including articles and tools.The following websites contain information for project managers including articles and tools.

www.pmstudy.com

www.gantthead.com

www.projectsatwork.com

www.pmboulevard.com

www.pmstudy.com

www.gantthead.com

www.projectsatwork.com

www.pmboulevard.com

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Page 30: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 30 www.psqtconference.com

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESEDUCATIONAL RESOURCESThe following published articles are available on SSI’s website – www.ssi-learn.comThe following published articles are available on SSI’s website – www.ssi-learn.com

Winning the War on Retaining Brain PowerBy Tom Mattus

The High Cost of Employee TurnoverBy Tom Mattus and Craig Ruvere

How to Attain Project Success with Project MeasurementBy Tom Mattus and Craig Ruvere

Winning the War on Retaining Brain PowerBy Tom Mattus

The High Cost of Employee TurnoverBy Tom Mattus and Craig Ruvere

How to Attain Project Success with Project MeasurementBy Tom Mattus and Craig Ruvere

Page 31: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 31 www.psqtconference.com

For Project Management Professionals (PMP)…For Project Management Professionals (PMP)…

1 PDU Creditis available for this presentation

Simply visit: www.pmi.org/info/PDC_PMPCCR.asp

1 PDU Creditis available for this presentation

Simply visit: www.pmi.org/info/PDC_PMPCCR.asp

Page 32: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 32 www.psqtconference.com

Questions?Questions?

Page 33: Why Leaders Fail

Solving the Software Quality Puzzle Page 33 www.psqtconference.com

�For more information, contact Tom Mattus– [email protected]– 877-390-3057

For more information, contact Tom Mattus– [email protected]– 877-390-3057