Understanding Politics, Conflict, and Influence in Projects

bernardo_tiradoIn this interview, I have the pleasure to speak to Bernardo Tirado about Politics, Conflict, and Influence in projects.

Bernardo brings a fresh and unique perspective to this very important topic in project management, combining his background as an Industrial Psychology practitioner and a Project Management Executive.

Bernardo has extensive experience in building global shared services, transforming organizations through process improvement (he is a Six Sigma Black Belt), and through introducing new business capabilities.

He also was an adjunct professor teaching Industrial Psychology at the Metropolitan College of New York and has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University.

He approaches project management from a psychological perspective and explores these topics on his site: www.bernardotirado.com

The Interview

Listen now:

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Right click here to download the MP3

I asked Bernardo the following questions:

  • Most project managers in their early years ignore politics surrounding their projects with high cost. Why is understanding politics, influence, and conflict management a critical skill for today’s project manager?
  • What makes the project environment a fertile ground for politics and conflict?
  • Can politics have a positive influence on projects?
  • Are there formal and informal political structures in organizations?
  • How can project managers quickly assess the political context of their project?
  • What should project managers look for to recognize politically motivated behavior?
  • How can Project Managers deal effectively with the political dynamics surrounding their projects?
  • Conflict is inevitable in projects. Why do we still fear conflict?
  • What skills are required to effectively manage conflict?
  • What are the critical factors for influencing others?
  • What are the individual attributes of an influential project manager?
  • Most project managers have enormous responsibility but not enough formal authority. How can project managers have influence beyond their authority?

About Bernardo

Find out more information about Bernardo on the links below:

Listen now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Right click here to download the MP3

Credits…

Our opening and closing theme song is music by the wonderful Paul Hardcastle and www.paulhardcastle.com

One Response to Understanding Politics, Conflict, and Influence in Projects
  1. Rohit Priyadarshi
    April 4, 2015 | 10:52 pm

    Thank you Samad and Bernardo for bringing the elephant in the room for discussion. Politics at workplace is like gravitational force,unseen and intangible, but always at play.Looking back at my early years of career,even i was skeptical and ignorant about the political dynamics, but gradually and over the years have learnt that we can choose to ignore this at our own peril.
    Thanks for some really valuable tips to identify and deal with Political angle in Project scenario.

Understanding Politics, Conflict, and Influence in Projects

bernardo_tiradoIn this interview, I have the pleasure to speak to Bernardo Tirado about Politics, Conflict, and Influence in projects.

Bernardo brings a fresh and unique perspective to this very important topic in project management, combining his background as an Industrial Psychology practitioner and a Project Management Executive.

Bernardo has extensive experience in building global shared services, transforming organizations through process improvement (he is a Six Sigma Black Belt), and through introducing new business capabilities.

He also was an adjunct professor teaching Industrial Psychology at the Metropolitan College of New York and has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University.

He approaches project management from a psychological perspective and explores these topics on his site: www.bernardotirado.com

The Interview

Listen now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Right click here to download the MP3

I asked Bernardo the following questions:

  • Most project managers in their early years ignore politics surrounding their projects with high cost. Why is understanding politics, influence, and conflict management a critical skill for today’s project manager?
  • What makes the project environment a fertile ground for politics and conflict?
  • Can politics have a positive influence on projects?
  • Are there formal and informal political structures in organizations?
  • How can project managers quickly assess the political context of their project?
  • What should project managers look for to recognize politically motivated behavior?
  • How can Project Managers deal effectively with the political dynamics surrounding their projects?
  • Conflict is inevitable in projects. Why do we still fear conflict?
  • What skills are required to effectively manage conflict?
  • What are the critical factors for influencing others?
  • What are the individual attributes of an influential project manager?
  • Most project managers have enormous responsibility but not enough formal authority. How can project managers have influence beyond their authority?

About Bernardo

Find out more information about Bernardo on the links below:

Listen now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Right click here to download the MP3

Credits…

Our opening and closing theme song is music by the wonderful Paul Hardcastle and www.paulhardcastle.com

One Response to Understanding Politics, Conflict, and Influence in Projects
  1. Rohit Priyadarshi
    April 4, 2015 | 10:52 pm

    Thank you Samad and Bernardo for bringing the elephant in the room for discussion. Politics at workplace is like gravitational force,unseen and intangible, but always at play.Looking back at my early years of career,even i was skeptical and ignorant about the political dynamics, but gradually and over the years have learnt that we can choose to ignore this at our own peril.
    Thanks for some really valuable tips to identify and deal with Political angle in Project scenario.

Understanding Politics, Conflict, and Influence in Projects

bernardo_tiradoIn this interview, I have the pleasure to speak to Bernardo Tirado about Politics, Conflict, and Influence in projects.

Bernardo brings a fresh and unique perspective to this very important topic in project management, combining his background as an Industrial Psychology practitioner and a Project Management Executive.

Bernardo has extensive experience in building global shared services, transforming organizations through process improvement (he is a Six Sigma Black Belt), and through introducing new business capabilities.

He also was an adjunct professor teaching Industrial Psychology at the Metropolitan College of New York and has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University.

He approaches project management from a psychological perspective and explores these topics on his site: www.bernardotirado.com

The Interview

Listen now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Right click here to download the MP3

I asked Bernardo the following questions:

  • Most project managers in their early years ignore politics surrounding their projects with high cost. Why is understanding politics, influence, and conflict management a critical skill for today’s project manager?
  • What makes the project environment a fertile ground for politics and conflict?
  • Can politics have a positive influence on projects?
  • Are there formal and informal political structures in organizations?
  • How can project managers quickly assess the political context of their project?
  • What should project managers look for to recognize politically motivated behavior?
  • How can Project Managers deal effectively with the political dynamics surrounding their projects?
  • Conflict is inevitable in projects. Why do we still fear conflict?
  • What skills are required to effectively manage conflict?
  • What are the critical factors for influencing others?
  • What are the individual attributes of an influential project manager?
  • Most project managers have enormous responsibility but not enough formal authority. How can project managers have influence beyond their authority?

About Bernardo

Find out more information about Bernardo on the links below:

Listen now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Right click here to download the MP3

Credits…

Our opening and closing theme song is music by the wonderful Paul Hardcastle and www.paulhardcastle.com

One Response to Understanding Politics, Conflict, and Influence in Projects
  1. Rohit Priyadarshi
    April 4, 2015 | 10:52 pm

    Thank you Samad and Bernardo for bringing the elephant in the room for discussion. Politics at workplace is like gravitational force,unseen and intangible, but always at play.Looking back at my early years of career,even i was skeptical and ignorant about the political dynamics, but gradually and over the years have learnt that we can choose to ignore this at our own peril.
    Thanks for some really valuable tips to identify and deal with Political angle in Project scenario.