Projectified Folgen

Diversity and inclusion are now mainstay focuses for organizations—but it can be challenging to find the right strategies to achieve diverse and inclusive team environments. We discuss this with: Victoria Toney-Robinson, PMP, senior program manager at Google in Hamburg: Toney-Robinson discusses how a team’s diversity and inclusion affect not only the team environment but also the solutions the team develops, which strategies and practices she’s found are the most effective for building diversity and inclusion into team culture, and how the Black Googler Network, which she co-chairs, helps create not only better products but also a more inclusive environment at Google.  Nikky Chen, PMI-ACP, PMP, previously a group manager in the project management department at Rakuten in Tokyo: A 2023 Future 50 leader, Chen discusses why project professionals should promote diverse and inclusive team environments, how a diverse team improved communication on a project, how active listening and empathy can boost inclusivity and why she’s passionate about DE&I.Key themes [02:01] How team diversity affects products’ inclusivity[04:43] Strategies to create diverse and inclusive team environments[06:32] The role of the Black Googler Network [09:43] How project professionals can advocate for diverse teams[14:48] What is at risk if project teams lack diversity[16:32] How team diversity boosted communication on a project[18:11] Boosting inclusion with active listening and empathy

Project professionals can help promote well-being in the workplace, making a positive impact on not only their own and their team members’ performance but also their overall mental health. We discuss this with: Marilena Koliavasili, PMP, project manager, Intracom Telecom, Athens: Koliavasili discusses how she defines employee well-being, practices she uses to maintain her own and her team members’ well-being, and how emotional intelligence, empathy and psychological safety can help people better promote well-being for teams. Plus, she shares how project professionals can support team members who are struggling with wellness and well-being.  Jonas Ng, PMP, project coordinator, Exos, Singapore: Ng discusses how each project team member faces different challenges to maintain their well-being, ways he boosts his own and his team members’ wellness and well-being, why project professionals should prioritize their teams’ health and strategies to do so. In addition, he explains how to balance getting project work done with caring for his and his team’s well-being.Key Themes[00:52] Employee well-being’s impact on performance and overall mental health[02:03] What is employee well-being—and what elements can make it difficult to maintain it?[05:02] Practices to promote positive well-being on project teams[10:10] How emotional intelligence, empathy and psychological safety help build strong relationships with team members[13:37] Ways to support team members struggling with well-being[16:08] Well-being challenges are different for each project team member[18:13] How leaders can boost their own well-being[20:08] Why project professionals should prioritize well-being for their teams[23:17] Ways to help remote team members[24:05] Balancing project deadlines and deliverables with team well-being

Teams are delivering projects no matter their location. As team members continue working in remote and hybrid environments, project professionals must find ways to develop their skills and grow their careers outside of an office. We talk about this in a joint discussion with Adriana Pavón Navarrete, PMP, a project manager at Hitachi Vantara in México City, and Meena Nandelli, CAPM, a master’s student who at the time we spoke was a project manager at Microsoft in Hyderabad, India.Key Themes[02:00] Adapting leadership styles to manage projects remotely[04:18] Leaning into adaptability, flexibility and empathy to lead remote teams[06:25] Top power skills when leading remote teams: Communication, collaborative leadership and strategic thinking[08:38] Upskilling outside an office? Use online trainings, free resources and self-reflection of on-the-job challenges[13:42] Tips to resolve conflicts in remote and hybrid work environments[19:12] Top challenges to remote upskilling—and strategies to overcome them[22:03] Networking while remote: Join project management communities and organizations, or reach out to other project professionals