Static to signal

Your job isn’t what you think it is. Ringing the iron triangle of time, scope, and budget doesn’t drown out the complexity of humans working with other humans. Your real job is to create alignment with your folks at work: to bind them together so everyone is pulling in the same direction, fighting for the same things, and uniting for the same purpose. Join Rachel Gertz for a frank discussion about getting your people on the same frequency so you can focus on doing the work that matters. A talk for the Digital PM Summit 2018 in Memphis.

IN THIS SESSION YOU'LL LEARN:
• Key behaviors, responses, and environmental changes that indicate stakeholder misalignment and practical scripts and tips for how to respond
• How to create strong work allies who champion your processes and ideas
• Our evolving role as process and organizational change makers and how we become invaluable catalyzers on our teams

RESOURCES
Club of Rome study; Big Think: https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/in-1973-an-mit-computer-predicted-the-end-of-civilization-so-far-its-on-target
Iron Ring Ceremony:
Avoiding Toxic Workers; Activ Collab: https://activecollab.com/blog/growth/avoiding-toxic-workers
The business case for psychological safety; Workplace Strategies: https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/free-training-and-tools/making-the-business-case
Post meritocracy: https://postmeritocracy.org/
Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System: http://donellameadows.org/archives/leverage-points-places-to-intervene-in-a-system/
Wicked questions; Coax: https://louderthanten.com/coax/wicked-questions

Other links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity
https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf
https://business.financialpost.com/technology/personal-tech/intuit-says-45-of-canadians-will-be-self-employed-by-2020-releases-new-app-to-help-with-finances
https://www.consultancy.eu/news/1569/companies-lack-leadership-capabilities-for-digital-transformation-projects

Transcript

1. SIGNAL to
2. You are big and you are little.
3. You are here in the meeting
4. You are here
5. Image credit: DJ Sadhu
6. Today’s problems are big Job automation Unethical AI Mass surveillance Racism & all isms Income inequality Food scarcity Climate change Overpopulation Dictatorial rule Political instability Refugee crises 6th Mass extinction Global collapse
7. Club of Rome Limits to Growth study, 1972 https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/in-1973-an-mit-computer- predicted-the-end-of-civilization-so-far-its-on-target
8. Stay with me for a sec
9. Our reaction ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
10. “We're making the world a better place…” “…through Paxos algorithms for consensus protocols.” —Silicon Valley, HBO
11. Mall kiosk facial recognition Blake Lough, Global News
12. #Cryptobros
13. ‘Productivity’ software
14. In 2008, it was Wall Street bankers. In 2017, tech workers are the world’s villain. Erin Griffith, Wired https://www.wired.com/story/the-other-tech-bubble/
15. “Imagine the meeting…” Anil Dash, Technologist
16. Imagine the Malltech meeting…
17. Should we?
18. We’re talking about POWER
19. Impact is the inverse
20. Weather patterns Corporate lifecycle The Fall Ichak Adizes
21. • Can’t you just…? • Whatever. You can make it work. • We need more time. But we need you to hurry. • We're not paying more for this. • I just don't think you get it. • You're not listening. • We have to change direction. • [silence] “ https://louderthanten.com/resources
22. https://20x200.com/products/mike-monteiro-untitled-i-told-my-therapist I told my therapist about you.
23. People are generally doing their best and working within their capacity
24. They are not the enemy
25. Sabotage Fear Avoidance Doubt Ignorance This is the enemy
26. A tiny rant
27. Are you ready? 39% of companies don’t have the technical skills to complete their jobs. By 2020, 50% of our population will (have to) be freelancers. By 2030, 47% of current jobs will be automated (aka, disappear). By 2045 (or sooner) artificial intelligence will be smarter than humans.
28. What is happening in this industry? How will it affect our company? Our team? Me? Who are my allies? How can I support them? Who are the toxic people? How can we challenge them? How do I make this company better? How can I support better products?
29. Course corrections change the path Pressure Pressure Pressure
30. We need a roadmap
31. This is not a roadmap But it might help.
32. ‘Fit’ is a dangerous word
33. Nothing about us without us. http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Intersectionality
34. Better working conditions
35. Weed out toxicity “Let’s talk about the way we talk to each other”
36. Should we?
37. Punch up.
38. When everyone is pulling in the same direction, fighting for the same things, uniting for the same purpose. Alignment
39. Let’s talk about you for a minute.
40. Build the right thing Build that thing right You have two jobs.
41. Quiet POWER
42. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
43. Do you trust yourself?
44. Could you talk about it if you didn’t?
45. Are you able to do your best work?
46. Why are you a project manager?
47. What is your job? Really?
48. Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. George Orwell
49. “This is hard, but I need your help. In order for this direction to work, we have to focus on the right things. Can you help me by prioritizing what’s important to you?”
50. Loveable hardass Your job is being a
51. Are you an ally?
52. “Your voice is important: can you talk about the idea you had during our next meeting? I’ll make sure to leave space for you.”
53. Ask for help
54. The big picture
55. You have the skills Future
56. • Complex problem solving • Critical thinking • Creativity • People management • Coordinating with others • Emotional intelligence • Judgement and decision making • Service orientation • Negotiation • Cognitive flexibility World Economic Forum Skills of 2020
57. We’re not doing brain surgery. But we will be.
58. You are setting down infrastructure for the new world You are leading the projects of tomorrow
59. Power does not reside in the institutions, not even the state or large corporations. It is located in the networks that structure society. Manuel Castells, Sociologist
60. You are the nucleus You’re the node in the network.
61. nudge >
62. You are inventing the future To do Doing Done
63. We need you. Now.
64. You are big and you are little.
65. You are here in the meeting
66. You are here
67. “…There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.” Carl Sagan, Astronomer
68. What will you change?
69. Pinky swear
70. Come find me Louder Than Ten Rachel Gertz Louder Than Ten Linkedin @thestraymuse
71. Resources Club of Rome study; Big Think Iron Ring Ceremony Avoiding Toxic Workers; Activ Collab The business case for psychological safety; Workplace Strategies Post meritocracy Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System Wicked questions; Coax