Karen Armstrong has dedicated the remaining years of her life to spreading one  simple idea.  This “golden rule”¹ transcends race, culture, social standing and religion.  It can be applied by you, by me, by anyone.  It requires little time and even less money.  All that’s needed is (1) knowledge of what it is and (2) desire to do it.

You may or may not agree with everything she says, but your peace of mind and quality of life will definitely improve to the degree that you implement the golden rule.  Take a few minutes to watch,  “Let’s revive the golden rule”.  It’s a good use of your time.  You can also access it here.

Karen won a prize at Ted in 2008 enabling her to establish the Charter for Compassion.  I for one am willing to stand up and commit to living the Golden Rule to the best of my ability.  How about you?

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Modern Day Hero – Karen Armstrong – Let’s Revive the Golden Rule is a post from: Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process

1. Golden Rule on Wikipedia.

Puppies Behind Bars trains prison inmates to raise puppies into guide dogs.

Inmates learn patience and responsibility, and have the opportunity to focus on something positive during their time of incarceration.

Organizations like this one help keep me hopeful and broaden my focus beyond my personal company, project and other interests.

Oprah Winfrey did a story on Puppies Behind Bars.  A CBS video describing how the program has been implemented in Colorado is included below.

(You can also view the 2 minute video at CBS News.)

Mike Dooley has raised $7000 of $25,000 for the organization.  If you feel so inclined, and have a few dollars to give, you can participate here.

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Puppies Behind Bars Helps You Hope is a post from: Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process

Harvey Keitel’s performance as Winston Wolfe in Pulp Fiction inspires me to be a better leader.  It gives me courage to make stronger, faster decisions. It reminds me not to shy away from giving instruction when needed. (In times of crisis and turmoil people hunger for clear, sane direction.)

Winston Wolfe is the master of clean up.  He is the consummate gentleman.  He immediately sizes up the potentially disastrous situation, formulates a workable plan, and most importantly, provides calm, clear leadership to pull everyone together quickly and powerfully.

The Wolfe is on retainer.  The people he works for understand his value.

He gets pleasure out of his ability to do what he does exceptionally well.

He takes his work seriously, and at the same time keeps his perspective and sense of humor.

Winston Wolfe is a master.

This post originally published 2 May 2008

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I am Winston Wolfe. I Solve Problems. is a post from: Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process

While out and out mutiny may be rare on project teams, lackluster performance and disconnects between the project manager and the team happen more often than they need to.

Observing some of the actions and attitudes of the cold, hard Captain William Bligh can provide you with a measure to use against your own behavior as a project manager.

For those who are not familiar,Mutiny on the Bounty tells the fascinating true story of First Officer Fletcher Christian’s mutiny of 1787.   While the book is excellent, the quotes in this post are taken from the 1962 film version starring Marlon Brando as Christian and Trevor Howard as Bligh.

This post was originally published on Sept 15, 2008.

Here are Bligh’s 6 guidelines for leadership.

How many of these describe your attitudes or the attitudes of other project managers you know?

1.  Fear is the Best Motivator

Bligh sees laziness and weakness in both officers and crew members. Early in the film he incorrectly accuses his first officer of interfering with the progress of their mission.  When Fletcher questions him on this, the Captain responds, “You would do nothing to speed its progress.”  As for his crew, “The typical seaman is a half witted, wife beating perpetual drunkard.”

The Bligh style leader believes that a team is only ever truly motivated by fear.  “Cruelty with a purpose is not cruelty, it’s efficiency”.

2.  Policies and Procedures Must Be Followed To The Letter

Upon overhearing a crew member speaking against him, Bligh orders the man to receive the full punishment of two dozen lashes in accordance with the naval code.  While the punishment is being administered, he commands that it be given harder.  “You are going too lightly.  Lay on with a will or you will take his place.”

3.  You Must Have a Fanatical Fixmindedness to Metrics

The narrator describes how the Captain, “….studied his charts hour upon hour to the exclusion of all else.”  Bligh’s terrible decision to take the shorter South American route around Cape Horn instead of the traditional African route around the Cape of Good Hope was made solely to shave 5 months off the voyage.  The Captain knew at the time that only one other ship had successfully made the journey in Winter, and that a cost of 50% of the crew.

In project management, we refer to this as the path of numbers over common sense.

4.  Treat Information That Doesn’t Fit Your Plans as a Direct Challenge to your Authority

In the midst of a terrible storm Bligh goads Christian, “Afraid of a little weather?”  When Fletcher responds cautiously that the masts are in danger of breaking, Bligh verbally strikes at him. “Are you arguing with me?”

5. Take No Regard for the Well Being of Your Team

Bligh sees everyone as expendable and secondary to the success of the project.   After one of the Captain’s orders leads to the death of a crewman, Fletcher requests a proper burial for the man.  Bligh explodes at him. “Never mind Norman!  We lost one full league before I countermanded your order!”

Don’t be fooled.  It doesn’t really matter if your project is on time, on budget and on scope. If you destroy your team, you are a failure as a project manager.

6.  Make Crucial Decisions Without Providing Explanation

After coming through four weeks of horrifying weather, Bligh suddenly institutes “half rations”.  As a team member observed, “Starving the crew is not going to make the ship go faster.”

Have you ever been on a project where the the team’s task deadlines are shortened by half but overtime is forbidden?  This gives people a choice of poor performance or working without pay.

Words from the Admiralty

At Bligh’s court martial, he is exonerated, but reproached by the Admiralty with these words:

You can watch a trailer here:

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6 Lessons on Leadership from Captain Bligh is a post from: Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process

The new Charter for Compassion¹ has created a 3 minute video on the golden rule. The message is simple and (I believe) directly applicable to our work as project managers.

• Do you agree with the points made? Why or why not?
• Is there a place for ethics at work?
• Have you ever chosen to stand up for another person? What was the result?²

Please watch this short video now.

Wish you well,
Alec

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Project Management plus Golden Rule equals… is a post from: Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process

1. You can learn more at the Charter for Compassion website.
2. If you have chosen to stand up for someone else, please add a note in the comments or contact me privately.

Mike Nichols, creator of the Anxiety, Panic and Health blog, spoke with me this week about dealing with stress at work.

Mike is an IT veteran who has been a leader in multiple successful businesses. He has also paid the consequences of ignoring out of control stress. Fortunately for him (and us) he learned lessons from his experiences and is willing to generously share.

Why Listen?

• Your stress level may be higher now.
• You know work-life balance is important. What are you doing for you?
• These 15 minutes are dense with positive suggestions and information you can implement today.

Topics covered in this interview:

1. Mike’s Story (0.00 – 1.55)

“The whole idea is to give information that people won’t find elsewhere…the kind of information that I wanted to have when I was having problems.”

2. How you know if your stress level is out of hand (1.56 – 4.08)

Warning signals may include:

• physical – sleep disturbances, stomach upsets, faster heartrate, restlessness
• mental – negative thoughts, racing mind
• emotional – frustration, anger, sense of humor goes out the door
• behavior – decreased contact with family and friends, crankiness

3. What to do to manage your stress (4.09 – 6.50)

“Do activities that you love… (and that) will take your attention off your work life. Give yourself some space to collect your thoughts.”

4. Mike’s experience with business related stress (6.51 – 8.05)

5. What if someone has no time to do these things? (8.06 – 9.44)

“The productivity that you think you are producing would be better if you do take your breaks, you vacations, and you do learn to say no. If you did a test, at the end of the year you would see this to be the case.”

6. Is admitting to having an issue with stress a sign of weakness? (10.00 – 12.07)

“It is more courageous to admit to yourself that you are suffering with the signs of stress…There is all sorts of help available that can help you change your habits that leave you susceptible…No one will help you do it…You have to do it for yourself.”

7. Final thoughts (12.08 – 15.14)

“I would be glad to talk to anyone who is suffering with these things.”

Mike’s voice is very clear on the audio. Please have patience with the slight distortion on my connection.

If you are interested in learning more about stress, anxiety and health, you might be interested in some of Mike’s writings:

• 22 Tips for Becoming a World-Class Worrier
• 8 Tips for Surviving a Party or Gathering
• Shyness or Social Phobia?
• I’m Dying: What a Panic Attack Feels Like

You can contact Mike at Anxiety, Panic and Health.

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Dealing With Stress At Work – Mike Nichols Interview Podcast is a post from: Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process