If you get one tip out of this book that makes your meetings better, it will be worth the time you spend to read it. Project Managers call a lot of meetings, and it is usually not something your coworkers  look forward to. Not only will you get more efficient meetings by using the tips in this book, you’ll also be more popular with your coworkers!

 

Every project manager faces the problem of having to give presentations to different audiences over the course of a project. Whether it is a project kick off, a status meeting, or an executive steering committee presentation, having a presentation that is memorable and stands out will set you apart. This book provides creative ways to present your information and gives insight into the psychology of how people process and remember your data.

A project manager is usually in the position of being responsible for the delivery of the project with no actual authority over the people who have to do the work. The best project managers get things done because of the relationships they have. Knowing the right person to call, and having them pick up the phone when you call can sometimes be the difference between meeting a deadline and missing it. Never eat alone teaches you how to build a network so that you can leverage it effectively when you need it.

At first, this book isn’t a fit for a list of books project managers should read. But, in today’s world, most project managers are dealing with people who are working on the project as a side project to their day job. As a result, project managers have to be savvy in dealing with conflicting priorities. The 4 Disciplines of Execution provides a foundational understanding of the working environment today. A project manager who understands this will be better at dealing with the conflicts that arise between ‘the day job’ and the project.

 

It is really no big secret that most project managers are ‘Type A’ personalities, and typically not considered creative. But is that true? There is a difference between creative and artistic, and a lot of times when we say we aren’t creative, we mean that we can draw or paint or turn old socks into coffee cozies. The best project managers are creative—at solving problems, at making impossible timelines work, and at getting someone to do something they don’t want to do. This book will help you understand your type of creativity so that you can take full advantage of it.