7 Deadliest Communication Sins of Project Managers – PMI Webinar

Summary: This is the lecture notes of the recorded PMI webinar 7 Deadliest Communication Sins of Project Managers by Skip Weisman, Weisman Success Resources, Inc.

Webinar resources: www.howtoimproveleadershipcommunication.com/pm

#1 driver of your ability to influence

• The #1 driver of your ability to influence is TRUST
• easy to break, difficult to build up
• TRUST is the absolute belief that when you are communicating your ideas, recommendations, suggestions and conclusions, you have my (or our team/organization’s) best interest at heart
• #1 driver of TRUST: Communication

7 Deadliest Communication Sins of Project Managers

Communication Sin #1: Lack of Specificity

• sin: missing/contradictory/confusing details/instructions
• why? law of familiarity – takes thing for granted
• solution: be specific, never take it for granted

Communication Sin #2: Lack of Focus on Desirable Behaviors

• sin: language focuses on undesirable behaviors
• why? lack of awareness & lazy communication
• solution: focus on desirable behaviors

Communication Sin #3: Lack of Directness & Candor

• sin: gossip, avoid direct conversation
• why? low self-esteem, low trust relationship & lack of confrontation skills
• solution: use direct conversation

Communication Sin #4: Lack of Immediacy

• sin: procrastination, avoid and tolerate
• why? low self-esteem, low trust relationship & lack of communication skills
• solution: do it now

Communication Sin #5: Lack of Appropriate Tone

• sin: raising voice, sarcasm, and hostile body gestures (words account for only 7% of message’s meaning, tone 38%, body language 55%)
• why? lack of EQ, lack of respect
• solution: never raise voice

Communication Sin #6: Lack of Focused Attention

• sin: multi-tasking when talking, not active listening
• why? it is a choice
• solution: give attention

Communication Sin #7: Lack of Respectful ReBUTtals

• sin: …, BUT …
• why? lack of awareness and lazy communication habits
• solution: don’t use BUT, use AND

3 Communication Belief of Champion Project Leaders

1. The meaning of any communication is the response you get
2. Always presume good intent
3. There is no time like the present

3 Levels of High-Performacne Leadership Communication

1. self communication
2. group/team communication
3. individual (1-on-1) communication

The CHAMP Leadership

• C = Commitment, Clarity & Communication
• H = Humility
• A = Accountability to Measurable Results (Goals)
• M = Motivation for Momentum
• P = Preparation and Perpetuation for Profits