The International Community for Project Managers (ICPM)

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Do any of you remember that charming little childhood chant? It was meant to ward off the cruel verbal taunts we received from other children. Sometimes kids can be very harsh with their teasing. Sometimes adults can be very harsh with their words too. And the above childhood chant, well sometimes it may have helped you but most of the time it probably really did not take the sting out of the verbal bullying you might have endured.

Managers need to develop R-mode thinking, which is more popularly known as rightbrain thinking. A balanced mix from both sides of the brain, however, is needed for effective management of modern organizations. Here are a few steps crucial for R-mode thinking:

Notice. Noticing is about paying close attention to various facets and meanings of a problem. The idea is to learn to temporarily suspend sensory shortcuts that can lead to "snap" judgments by visually "surfing" over many elements. Lingering over detail and complexity allows complicated issues to be reframed and addressed more effectively. Subtle representation. Subtle representation concerns the ability to portray what has been noticed with nuance, detail and accuracy. It makes managers conscious of when and how symbolic shortcuts are employed in representing reality.

If you studied to take your PMP exam using the PMBOK® Guide 3rd edition and were unable to take and pass the exam before June 30th 2009, then you are now required to take the exam based on the new PMBOK® Guide 4th edition. The PMI will not make any exceptions. This article will show you a possible approach to "upgrade" yourself from having studied the 3rd edition, and you now have to take the 4th edition exam. However, we all learn differently. You should adjust this approach to your own needs.

What is an Agreement? According to www.merriam-webster.com an agreement is:

1 a: the act or fact of agreeing b: harmony of opinion, action, or character : CONCORD2 a: an arrangement as to a course of action b: COMPACT, TREATY3 a: a contract duly executed and legally binding b: the language or instrument embodying such a contract

Encountering new and different people can be interesting, stimulating and exciting. However, it can also be stressful, confusing, and frustrating when you do not understand where they are coming from, what they are trying to communicate and why they do what they do.

Organizations today are increasingly made up of people from various cultures and subcultures. “Culture" refers to a group or community that shares common experiences. It includes groups that people are born into, such as gender, race, or national origin. It also includes groups that people join or become part of. For example, people acquire a new culture by moving to a new region, by a change in economic status, or even by becoming disabled.

Jeanette and Rusty left work early to compare notes. Both of them worked for the same director and both of them were unhappy with their performance reviews. Jeanette had tried to discreetly ask her peers about their performance reviews, but Rusty seemed to be the only other manager who was upset.

Over a glass of wine, Jeanette began her rant: