Margaret Meloni
Helping project managers be the best they can be - Helping human beings navigate impermanence. A human making sense of this world using Buddhism to guide me. Want to know more about leading your team to project success? Great! Dealing with loss and life and how to cope - let's talk.
Who's Doing the Work?
How do you know what kind of resources your project needs to complete all of the required work? Click Here for: Consider This - Assigning Project Resources How do you know the who and what of the resources needed to bring your project from concept to completion? Here are some of the essentials for you to contemplate. Work with your team on your scope and WBS and dig into the work. Identify your resources early; don't be surprised when it's time to do the work. Know who is going to do the...
Frozen in Time: Who Would Your Loved One Be Today?
At one time or another, most of us have found ourselves at an event thinking, “Oh, I wish Mom were here for this,” or, “Mom would have loved to see you get married.” Sometimes, it’s something as simple as, “It’s too bad Mom didn’t see her roses bloom this year.” Conversely, we might think, “I’m really glad Dad isn’t here to see what’s happened in his city,” or, “Dad would be so upset at this turn of events.” Click below to listen, or keep reading for more. It’s natural to find ourselves...
Real Scenarios, Real Skills
You and your team have done an excellent job estimating your project. You have historic data, solid expertise, and you all feel good about your numbers. So when your sponsor asks you to cut the budget, you are surprised and disappointed. What will you do now? Welcome to the Life of a Project Manager, a series on the pmStudent YouTube channel. Short clips presenting realistic project scenarios to help you hone your problem-solving skills in advance.It's all about helping you be the best...
Beyond Good and Bad: Asking “May I Perceive This Differently?”
Check out this recent episode of the Death Dhamma podcast and consider a change in perspective. By embracing both the agreeable and disagreeable aspects of any situation, you can begin to foster a more balanced approach to life’s challenges. And that is what this episode of The Death Dhamma podcast will help you accomplish. This episode also highlights a fascinating encounter between the Buddha and a Brahmin teacher, where the limitations of sensory perception are unveiled. Here, the Buddha...
Plan Resources, Avoid Surprises
How do you know what kind of resources your project needs to complete all of the required work? Click Here for: Consider This - Assigning Project Resources How do you know the who and what of the resources needed to bring your project from concept to completion? Here are some of the essentials for you to contemplate. Work with your team on your scope and WBS and dig into the work. Identify your resources early; don't be surprised when it's time to do the work. Know who is going to do the...
The Roadside Dilemma
Imagine three scenarios in which people’s cars break down by the roadside. Our emotional responses will likely vary significantly based on our connection to them. A stranger? Mild compassion. A neighbor? More involvement. A best friend? Deep emotional turbulence. Before we hit the road, let’s revisit equanimity—how it weaves together with metta (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), and mudita (sympathetic joy)—and consider how we can practice equanimity in everyday life. Sometimes called...
Project Currencies Essentials
"What kind of currency can you use to acquire resources or enter into agreements, but is not in your project budget? Click Here for: Project Currencies: What Are They and Why Do They Matter? You have a subject matter expert who can help your colleague with her project. Your colleague is part of a committee that sets the guidelines for project management. Perhaps, you can work out an exchange? This is both of you utilizing currencies, items of value, that you can give or lend to one another to...
How a Stuffed Frog Taught Me Dharma
The other day, I found some odd, sand-like substance on my dresser. At first, I thought it was termite droppings. I live in an area that is well-loved by termites, and I have some familiarity with termite droppings. I quickly realized that this was something different. A quick scan of the dresser showed me the source of the sand. My beloved purple and green frog had been torn open. This little guy was a cross between a stuffed animal and a cheerful decoration. At first, I wondered how this...
Are YOU Powerful?
"Use power wisely and kindly, because the human spirit is fragile." - Anonymous Click Here for: When and How to Use Your Power. As a project manager, you deal with the authority versus responsibility dilemma. You are responsible for the success of your project, yet you have limited authority. You are the boss, but you are also not the boss. Many of your team members will be motivated professionals. They are going to step up and do the right thing. Once in a while, you find that you need to...
Cultivating Equanimity in Daily Life
.🚗 Imagine three scenarios of people broken down by the roadside. Your emotional responses vary significantly based on your connection to them. A stranger? Mild compassion. A neighbor? More involvement. A best friend? Deep emotional turbulence. 😰💔 Consider how equanimity functions as a stabilizing force in your emotional life. It allows you to experience deep compassion, loving-kindness, and joyousness without being overwhelmed by your feelings. In a recent episode of the Death Dhamma...
Helping project managers be the best they can be - Helping human beings navigate impermanence. A human making sense of this world using Buddhism to guide me. Want to know more about leading your team to project success? Great! Dealing with loss and life and how to cope - let's talk.