Welcome to my (Kelly Byrd) first blog! It certainly will not be my last. In fact, I want to be known world wide. Go big, or go home right? I am prompted to start a blog because I recently started a new job at Mindset Consulting, an SAP AppHaus Partner. One of the things that is promoted heavily within the organization is community engagement. One of the ways we are able to promote and engage within our communities is through blogs.
The story of My 5 is the result of lessons that I have learned along the way as a professional, always trying to refine my skills and learn. My five have grown over the years and I have no doubt the list will grow as I continue to grow professionally. The first one of my fives is:
Be Fluffy
This is the hardest one for me. It’s all about communication. You see, I am a very straightforward verbal communicator. (I am also a straight forward body language communicator as well, now that I think about that). Being fluffy in communications is just as important as knowing what you are working with, and how fluffy you need to be. With an audience that requires more fluff than others, I try to learn what interests them. If it’s a particular football team, a hobby, or maybe their grandkids, I slide those interests in my communications every so often.
Stay In Your Lane
This came about because I had switched jobs but was in the same organization. I went from the 5th floor (functional) to the 2nd floor (technical) from a business analyst to a technical project manager. That first big project came through and I was on the other side of it. The 5th floor manager was now my customer and I thought he was doing a dreadful job aiding his team in the collection of legit requirements for us to work with (story of a developer’s life, true?) I was explaining to my husband the situation at work, he said “You need to stay in your lane.” Whew! I did just that. That manager and I gained respect for each other during that project, and we worked well together moving forward.
What’s The Benefit?
A former mentor and supervisor told me this one. In a meeting, I had asked a question to make a point that we were right and the smart talkers who thought they knew everything were wrong. The question didn’t line up with how are we going to fix it and move forward. My manager at the time and I had a discussion after that meeting. She knew exactly why I had asked the question, but she asked me, “Kelly, did the question have any benefit?” It didn’t, other than to prove a point which was not productive. If you are going to schedule a meeting, send an email or ask a question, make sure it has a true benefit towards productivity.
Would you please read my blog? Read my blog.
Ask, Don’t tell.
We all get caught up in our day-to-day functions. As a project manager, I am often asking others if they are on track for a certain task or to provide me with a status update on something. In addition to keeping my pleases and thank you’s at the top of mind, asking and not telling has a great impact on building relationships with others.
Finally, I think we can all relate to this one. Most of us are giving all we have to ensure our projects are successful, our code is bug free, or whatever the case of our duties. We get passionate about success and our team’s success. Then boom, you receive a snarky email from someone who does not share the same passion for success, and immediately, you want to reply and let them know (in a professional way of course) that part of the problem is their attitude and unwillingness to do their job. Or perhaps you want to reply with some counter questions and comments of your own to make that point. You craft the reply email carefully as not to be too blunt, add some fluff but ultimately reply with your own emotions. This leads me to the last of My 5:
Sleep On It.
I promise, the email will be less emotional the next day, if you decide to reply at all.
I hope you have enjoyed my first blog and are already looking forward to my next blog. Until then, over and out.
This article was authored by Kelly Byrd of Mindset Consulting, LLC. Kelly Byrd is a Senior Delivery Lead.
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