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Enhancing Project Management Knowledge: Insights from "Behavioral

Excellence" and Selected Project Management Blogs

Jenna Johnston

Arizona State University

PMG 321: Module 3 Choice Assignment

Professor Ben Pandya

May 28, 2023

Abstract
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This paper explores the valuable insights gained from reading Chapter 10,

"Behavioral Excellence," in Harold Kerzner's book "Project Management Best Practices"

(2010), as well as two selected blog entries: "The Tao PM" by John Carroll and "Work Life"

by Atlassian. The resources provide diverse perspectives on project management and offer

practical advice for project success. Through a critical analysis of these resources, the paper

discusses how they enhance project management knowledge, assesses the agreement with

their assertions, draws connections to a simulation scenario, and shares personal experiences

and future goals related to the concepts presented.

Introduction
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Project management is a complex discipline that requires a deep understanding of

technical skills and behavioral and leadership capabilities. To additionally foster my

knowledge in this field, I drew in with Harold Kerzner's "Behavioral Excellence" chapter

from his book "Project Management Best Practices" (2010). Additionally, I explored two

project management blogs, "The Tao PM" by John Carroll and "Work Life" by Atlassian.

These resources offered unique perspectives and practical insights, contributing to my

understanding of project management principles and techniques (Kerzner, 2010). In the

following sections, I will discuss how these resources enhanced my knowledge, assess my

agreement with their assertions, draw connections to a simulation scenario, and share

personal experiences related to these takeaways.

I. Enhancing Project Management Knowledge

A. Behavioral Excellence - Harold Kerzner

Harold Kerzner's chapter on "Behavioral Excellence" delves into the critical role of

human behavior and psychology in project management. Kerzner highlights that project

success isn't solely dependent on technical skills and methodologies yet is heavily affected by

how people and groups cooperate, convey, and team up. By focusing on the behavioral

aspects of project management, Kerzner underlines the significance of understanding and

actually managing the human element in projects.

One key aspect explored in the chapter is team dynamics. Kerzner emphasizes that

project teams are composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and personalities.

Managing these dynamics and fostering a cohesive and high-performing team is crucial for

project success (Kerzner, 2010). Kerzner discusses the stages of team development, including

forming, storming, norming, and performing, and provides insights into how project

managers can navigate these stages effectively. He focuses on the significance of laying out

clear roles and obligations, empowering open correspondence, and promoting trust among
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team members. By acknowledging the significance of team dynamics, project managers can

proactively address conflicts, enhance collaboration, and cultivate a positive team culture.

Leadership is another key aspect covered in the chapter. Kerzner asserts that effective

leadership is essential for guiding and inspiring project teams. He discusses various

leadership styles, such as autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire, and emphasizes the

importance of adapting leadership approaches based on the project context and team

dynamics (Kerzner, 2010). Kerzner highlights that successful project managers are task-

oriented and exhibit strong interpersonal and communication skills. They motivate and

empower their team members, set clear expectations, and provide support to ensure project

success. By recognizing the impact of leadership on team performance and project outcomes,

project managers can cultivate the necessary leadership competencies and adapt their

approach to different situations.

Motivation is another critical aspect addressed in the chapter. Kerzner acknowledges

that project teams often face challenges and obstacles affecting morale and motivation. He

explores various motivational theories, including Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's

two-factor theory, and provides practical strategies for project managers to enhance team

motivation (Kerzner, 2010). Kerzner emphasizes recognizing and rewarding achievements,

creating a positive work environment, and providing opportunities for personal and

professional growth. By understanding the underlying factors that drive motivation, project

managers can effectively motivate their team members and foster a sense of commitment and

dedication to project goals.

Conflict resolution is also extensively discussed in the chapter. Kerzner acknowledges

that conflicts are inevitable in project environments due to varying perspectives, interests, and

priorities. However, he highlights the importance of managing conflicts constructively to

minimize their negative impact on project performance. Kerzner explores different conflict
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resolution strategies, such as collaboration, compromise, and avoidance, and emphasizes the

need for project managers to be skilled in active listening, negotiation, and mediation. By

addressing conflicts promptly and effectively, project managers can maintain a harmonious

team environment and ensure that project objectives are not compromised (Kerzner, 2010).

B. The Tao PM - John Carroll

John Carroll's blog, "The Tao PM," offers a unique perspective on project

management by applying principles from Taoist philosophy. Carroll's emphasis on embracing

change, maintaining balance, and leveraging intuition resonated with me. His insights into

Agile Project Management and earned value management provided practical techniques for

adapting to evolving requirements and ensuring project success (Carroll, 2022). The blog also

showcased Carroll's expertise beyond project management, such as his step-by-step guide on

making sourdough bread. This multidimensional approach to knowledge sharing made his

blog a valuable resource.

C. Work Life by Atlassian

Atlassian's "Work Life" blog offers a wealth of project management content, focusing

on productivity and leadership. The blog provides actionable insights, such as establishing

values-based leadership and creating effective templates for project planning. As Atlassian

owns popular project management tools like Jira and Trello, their expertise in the field is

evident (Sarah, 2020). The blog articles helped broaden my perspective on project

management, particularly aligning values with leadership practices and leveraging technology

to enhance productivity.

II. Agreement with Assertions and Additional Insights

While I agree with most of the assertions presented in these resources, there are a few

areas where I have alternative viewpoints or additional insights to share.

A. Behavioral Excellence
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In Kerzner's "Behavioral Excellence" chapter, strong leadership is emphasized. While

I concur with the significance of leadership in project management, I accept that a

cooperative leadership approach, where team members are enabled and associated with

direction, can be similarly compelling (Kerzner, 2010). This approach cultivates a feeling of

responsibility and commitment among team members, prompting better project outcomes.

Additionally, the chapter primarily focuses on conflict resolution within the project team but

could have further explored conflict management strategies involving external stakeholders.

B. The Tao PM

Carroll's Taoist-inspired approach to project management provides valuable insights.

However, it is important to acknowledge that not all project management methodologies and

organizations can fully embrace the principles of Taoism. While versatility and equilibrium

are positive characteristics, project managers should think about the particular setting, project

imperatives, and authoritative culture while applying these standards (Carroll, 2022). Hence,

a harmony between embracing change and sticking to project requirements is fundamental for

project success.

C. Work Life by Atlassian

The Atlassian blog offers viable guidance on project management, however, an article

might have restricted materialness to explicit businesses or project types. It is important for

project managers to critically evaluate the relevance and adaptability of the provided

templates or techniques to their specific projects (Sarah, 2020). Customization and tailoring

to meet project requirements and stakeholder expectations remain crucial for success.

III. Connections to the Simulation Scenario

The selected resources shed light on project management principles and techniques

that resonate with the simulation scenario (Sarah, 2020). For example, in the simulation,

managing team dynamics and addressing conflicts among team members were key
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challenges. Kerzner's emphasis on understanding human behavior and effective conflict

resolution techniques provided insights and strategies that could have been applied to address

these challenges. Carroll's Agile Project Management principles align with the simulation's

dynamic and evolving project requirements, highlighting the importance of adaptability and

iterative approaches in managing projects effectively (Kerzner 2010).

IV. Personal Experiences and Future Goals

One particular project stands out in my memory, where I led a cross-functional team

in developing a new software application. The project faced several challenges, including

scope changes, conflicting stakeholder requirements, and team members with diverse

backgrounds and perspectives. During this project, I realized the critical role of effective

leadership and conflict resolution in project management.

The insights gained from reading Kerzner's "Behavioral Excellence" chapter were

particularly applicable to this experience. Understanding the project team's dynamics and

addressing conflicts constructively helped foster a collaborative environment. By applying

active listening, encouraging open communication, and facilitating compromise, I could

navigate conflicts and build stronger relationships among team members (Kerzner, 2010).

This ultimately improved collaboration, increased team morale, and enhanced project

outcomes.

Furthermore, Carroll's blog, "The Tao PM," offered a refreshing perspective on

project management. His emphasis on embracing change and maintaining balance resonated

with my personal experiences. In the project, as mentioned earlier, the dynamic nature of the

software development process required an agile mindset (Carroll, 2022). By adapting

Carroll's Agile Project Management principles, such as iterative planning, continuous

feedback, and frequent communication, I could effectively respond to evolving requirements

and ensure that the project remained on track.

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Looking ahead, these insights and experiences have shaped my future goals in project

management. I aspire to develop my leadership and conflict resolution skills further,

recognizing their pivotal role in project success (Sarah, 2020). I plan to seek additional

training and educational opportunities focusing on emotional intelligence, effective

communication, and stakeholder management. By honing these skills, I aim to lead project

teams with empathy, empower team members, and create a positive work environment that

fosters collaboration and innovation.

Additionally, the multidimensional approach advocated by Carroll in his blog has

inspired me to broaden my knowledge beyond traditional project management practices. Just

as Carroll shared his expertise in cooking and writing, I believe diversifying my skill set will

make me a more well-rounded project manager (Carroll, 2022). By exploring related

disciplines such as data analysis, design thinking, and change management, I hope to bring a

holistic perspective to my future projects, effectively addressing complex challenges and

driving successful outcomes.

Conclusion

The combination of Harold Kerzner's "Behavioral Excellence" chapter and the

selected blog entries from John Carroll's "The Tao PM" and Atlassian's "Work Life" blog

significantly enhanced my knowledge of project management. These resources offered

valuable insights into behavioral aspects, practical techniques, and leadership approaches.

While I generally agreed with their assertions, I also identified areas where alternative

viewpoints or additional insights could be considered. By drawing connections to a

simulation scenario and reflecting on personal experiences, I gained a deeper understanding

of the relevance and applicability of these resources. The knowledge gained from these

resources will undoubtedly contribute to my future project management endeavors,

empowering me to navigate the complexities of projects more effectively.

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References

Carroll John (2022). The Tao of Project Management.

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Kerzner Harold (2010), Project Management Best Practices. Chapter 10 “Behavioral

Excellence”

Sarah Goff-Dupont (2020) Work Life by Atlassian.