I’ll Manage

“It’s about managing the people and less about the project.” This is a line that I heard about 2 1/2 hours ago and I can’t get it out of my head. It’s absolutely true and something you can’t learn in school.

This is huge for me. I’m a people person. I’m a people pleaser really. But, where does this end and where does the “cut the crap and get this done” come in? I’ve found that if you’re a hard ass in the beginning then that’s what people expect and work with, but if you’re easy going then flip the switch it’s much harder. Why?

I’ve taken on the role of PM of an incubator over the last 6 months or so and I’ve had my own mental struggles. I’m glad I have these struggles because I want to grow, I want to work hard, and I want to help people have a kick butt experience working with something I’ve a had a huge hand in creating. My own experience keeps telling me to keep doing what I’m doing because people come to me when they have troubles. Even if I’m not able to help them they come over, tell me their issue and I try really really hard to solve it for them. Is that being a PM or is it being a friend?

There are two sayings that , Doug Leeby, CEO of my last company, Beeline, always said and I’ve thought about since the day I’ve heard them: “My customers are everybody that is not myself,” and “assume positive intent.” These are hard, life changing ways of living that are extremely helpful. I use them constantly to keep myself out of trouble, and I annoy the crap out of my wife and friends by repeating it.

I have many things to learn and yet I personally have come so far. None of my previous positions would of ever come close to pushing me this hard and forcing me to learn. I’m glad I have it and I just hope they’re glad to have me.

This is more of a free thinking, letting the words fly out of the head post then a this is how you do some stuff blog post, but again…it’s my time. Stop reading it if you don’t like it.

and here is a picture, because you like pictures:

5 Years Ago I Skated Once...Once.
5 Years Ago I Skated Once…Once.