Karen R Roberts, PMP, CPA

On a lovely spring day last month, eleven curious & intensely engaged employees were gathered around a conference table, about to launch into a team building activity. The group was divided into five sub-groups. The facilitator of this special meeting had strategically seated each employee at the table based on a personality assessment result. And that’s when snippets of clarity and understanding joined us at the table.

Flashback to 2 weeks earlier: Eleven of us experienced various feelings of enthusiasm, skepticism, optimism, and nervousness as we each completed an online Myers-Briggs questionnaire. Although there were 144 questions, it took only 20 to 30 minutes to complete the assessment (MBTI® Step II™ ). The instructions encouraged us to respond quickly/automatically, no need to deliberate over questions or phrases…whatever response dominates, there’s your answer. There are no right or wrong answers.

Flashback to 1 week earlier: Each of us met individually with the Myers-Briggs facilitator for 35-45 minutes, having our results explained to us. We also learned how our type personality was perceived by others. Enlightening!

Back to the intrepid group gathered around the conference table, where each of us were seated in an assigned position. We had just returned from a small-group breakout session where we had discussed some questions that the facilitator posed. The three simple questions pertained to how we would respond to a particular social event.

Then the fun began. We went around the table, group by group, each team sharing their responses. Many of us were surprised by the answers shared and the perceptions that we had held.

By Art Croteau, PMIBC 

What do most military service members and veterans have in common with Project Management? A lot, according to a recent Project Management Institute article. Military service members and veterans are used to dynamic, often chaotic situations, are comfortable working in and across teams to accomplish goals, and possess the leadership and interpersonal skills – the “soft skills” which are highly valued in the world of Project Management.  

This was the impetus which drove the Project Management Institute Baltimore Chapter (PMIBC) to establish a volunteer leadership role to specifically engage active duty, transitioning and veteran military service members. The Director, Chapter Military Veterans serves as a liaison to help identify current and prospective Chapter members with military experience, and to promote their skills and abilities throughout the Chapter and community. By raising awareness of Chapter veterans, the position can help military and veterans become more involved in the Chapter’s activities, where their unique skills can help advance Chapter goals. Military and veteran awareness can also help connect military and veterans seeking Project Management jobs with potential employers through socialization at Chapter events. PMIBC sees this as a win-win situation benefiting both the Chapter and its current and future military and veteran members.

Art Croteau, a 30-year veteran of the Air Force and certified Project Management Professional
(PMP) is the Director, Chapter Military Veterans for PMIBC. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reference:
Hicks, J. (2016). Special service: how you can help military service members discover
civilian project management. PM Network, 30(3), 26.

PMI Baltimore is always looking for Good Speakers

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