Nearly four years ago we began the TAPUniversity Blog. It’s been based on a mix of our training and consulting delivery. The first topic was a top 10 things to do for contractors or consultants (or not do). After a round of consulting assignments, in pharmaceutical and insurance, with other consultants alongside me, I observed […]
March 23, 2010 by tapuniversity
“I know Jack will get that report to me by Friday. He said I’ll have it by Friday, so I’ll have it by Friday—Jack never lets me down. When he says something will get done, I don’t worry about it because I can trust he’ll take care of it” says the project sponsor. “You’re fortunate […]
March 22, 2010 by tapuniversity
“Listen up, team! I’m tired of tardiness—we haven’t been able to start these morning meetings on time. Next person late to our morning meeting will be written up and reported to HR!” says the Project Manager. Just then, the meeting room door creaks open and the Project Manager’s favorite team member, with whom he plays […]
March 19, 2010 by tapuniversity
Discrimination is behavior towards a member of a certain group based on their membership of that group rather than their individual qualities. Hiring only people of a certain race, giving certain assignments more often to either men or women, and recruiting just younger individuals are all examples of discrimination. The fourth mandatory Fairness standard in […]
March 18, 2010 by tapuniversity
Why is it a problem to hire or award someone based on the fact that they are your friend, relative, or have offered you a little “gift” in return? The problem is what you are not doing—making decisions based on people’s merits to the best interest of your organization. The third mandatory Fairness standard in […]
March 17, 2010 by tapuniversity
Respecting both tangible things and intellectual property that do not belong to you is a matter of showing respect for the owner. The fourth mandatory Respect standard in the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Ethics/~/media/PDF/Ethics/ap_pmicodeofethics.ashx) is “3.3.4 We respect the property rights of others.” Owners, which include both individuals and […]
March 16, 2010 by tapuniversity
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men” is a popular quote originating from Lord Acton. This saying reveals the frightening lure of using one’s acquired power to benefit one’s self at the expense of others. The second mandatory Respect standard in the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) […]
March 15, 2010 by tapuniversity
The very succinct first mandatory Respect standard in the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Ethics/~/media/PDF/Ethics/ap_pmicodeofethics.ashx) is “3.3.1 We negotiate in good faith.” When we negotiate in good faith, we negotiate with good and honest intentions or beliefs. It surprises me that this standard is categorized as a Respect standard rather […]
March 12, 2010 by tapuniversity
Norms and customs don’t just vary from country to country, they can vary across neighborhoods and even across departments within an organization. I was told once by a kid from the town next to mine that she could tell which kids were from my town because they liked to wear socks under their sandals. This […]
March 11, 2010 by tapuniversity
Your boss announces her plan for cutting some project costs during a team meeting though the client has already paid for the services those costs reflect. Had she negotiated with the client and advised them of the cost cutting measure, it’s fine. It’s business, right? You suspect though that this planned activity cheats the client […]
March 10, 2010 by tapuniversity
“Ignorantia juris non excusat”—ignorance of the law is no excuse! This well-known legal principle states that we are held liable for laws even though we may not be aware of them. This suggests that it’s a good idea to be aware of the laws and other rules that directly pertain to our work. As a […]
March 8, 2010 by tapuniversity
Listening carefully in order to understand someone is a practical skill for everyday life, but it’s also considered a matter of respect, and is so listed as the second aspirational Respect standard in the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as “3.2.2 We listen to others’ points of view, seeking to […]
March 5, 2010 by tapuniversity
Who will get that great, new opportunity within your organization? Perhaps the daughter of the top salesman, or the young lady that was in the same sorority as the CEO? The fourth aspirational Fairness standard in the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is “4.2.4 We make opportunities equally available to […]
March 3, 2010 by tapuniversity
Knowledge is power. Individuals who serve as gatekeepers of knowledge are in a position of power, and that power can be abused by unfairly exercising control over who knows what. The third aspirational Fairness standard in the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics.aspx) is “4.2.3 We provide equal access to […]
March 2, 2010 by tapuniversity
Uh, oh. You found a mistake in your report that was already sent out to key stakeholders. People can have a range of reactions at this moment of realization. Some will shrug it off and tell themselves that everyone makes mistakes. Others may feel devastated over the error and obsess about it. As hard as […]
October 3, 2012 by Dave Kohrell
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