Where You Can Catch Rick Brenner

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Here's a list of public events you can attend to see me in action, or publications you can pick up if you want to learn more about what I do.

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ou can find me most easily right here — there are hundreds of free articles on this Web site, mostly about how people work together (or don't) at work. Use the search box to find what you want. Or sign up for my free newsletter, Point Lookout. Or sign up for my email micro-newsletter, A Tip A Day or get daily tips direct to your desktop with my Yahoo Widget. Or follow me on Twitter.

Catch Rick Brenner Live!

Organizational Politics for People Who Hate Politics

Have you ever felt powerless to implement an important new idea? Have you ever been "blind-sided" at a meeting? Have you ever lost two good employees because you could find no way to keep them from attacking each other? These are some of the issues of organizational politics. Many of us have become enmeshed in them from time to time, but we've also known some people who seem to be able to engage and prosper. How is that done? We'll inventory the challenges of organizational politics, and provide tools for anticipating and addressing them. The focus of this program is practical — attendees learn concrete techniques for dealing with the problems that arise in workplace politics, while keeping their integrity intact. Read more about this program. Here are some upcoming dates for this program:

• Download to
  your calendarRichmond, VA (South Side): March 17, Southside Dinner Meeting, Central Virginia Chapter of The Project Management Institute.
   
• Download to
  your calendarRichmond, VA (West End): March 18, West End Dinner Meeting, Central Virginia Chapter of The Project Management Institute.
   
• Download to
  your calendarThe Conference Center at Bentley in Waltham, MA: May 1, Professional Development Day, Massachusetts Bay Chapter of the Project Management Institute. Register now.
   

Person-to-Person Communication for Project Managers

When we talk, listen, send or read emails, read or write memos, or when we leave or listen to voice mail messages, we're communicating person-to-person. And whenever we communicate person-to-person, we risk being misunderstood, offending others, feeling hurt, and being confused. There are so many ways for things to go wrong that we could never learn how to fix all the problems. A more effective approach avoids problems altogether, or at least minimizes their occurrence. In this very interactive program you'll learn a model of inter-personal communications that can help you stay out of the ditch. In those moments of intense involvement, when we're most likely to slip, you'll have a new tool to use to keep things constructive. Read more about this program. Here's an upcoming date for this program:

• Download to
  your calendarHilton Garden Inn, Idaho Falls, ID: April 15, Professional Development Day, Eastern Idaho Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   

The Politics of Meetings for People Who Hate Politics

There's a lot more to running an effective meeting than having the right room, the right equipment, and the right people. With meetings, the whole really is more than the sum of its parts. How the parts interact with each other and with external elements is as important as the parts themselves. And those interactions are the essence of politics for meetings. This program explores techniques for leading meetings that are based on understanding political interactions, and using that knowledge effectively to meet organizational goals. Read more about this program. Here are some upcoming dates for this program:

• Download to
  your calendarHilton Garden Inn, Idaho Falls, ID: April 15, Professional Development Day, Eastern Idaho Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   
• Download to
  your calendarWherever you are: it's a webinar: August 3, Monthly Meeting Webinar, Memphis Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   

Human-Centered Risk Management

Most of us can assess technological risks, but risks related to human behavior tend to resist our best efforts. This session provides a framework for evaluating risks related to the behavior of individuals, teams, organizations and people generally. Human-centered risk differs from technological or market risk, because objective evaluation requires acknowledging personal and organizational limitations and failures. Since some of those limitations and failures might apply to the people assessing the risks, or to their superiors, there's a tendency to deny them or to explain them away. Our approach examines capability, organization, context, risk mitigation, and workplace politics. It has tools for guiding the assessment and management of human-centered risk, and we show how to extend these tools to suit your situation. You'll learn how to identify sources of risk in human behavior; recognize systemic and individual barriers to acknowledging risk; assess the effects of organizational turbulence; determine the risk associated with inappropriate internal risk transfer; estimate the effects of team dysfunction, toxic conflict and turnover; and measure the impact of workplace politics. Read more about this program. Here's an upcoming date for this program:

• Download to
  your calendarHilton Garden Inn, Idaho Falls, ID: April 15, Professional Development Day, Eastern Idaho Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   

The Race to the South Pole: Ten Lessons for Project Managers

On 14 December 1911, four men led by Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole. Thirty-five days later, Robert F. Scott and four others followed. Amundsen had won the race to the pole. Amundsen's party returned to base on 26 January 1912. Scott's party perished. As historical drama, why this happened is interesting enough, but to project managers, the story is fascinating. Lessons abound. Read more about this program. Here are some upcoming dates for this program:

• Download to
  your calendarHilton Garden Inn, Idaho Falls, ID: April 15, Professional Development Day, Eastern Idaho Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   
• Download to
  your calendarThe Conference Center at Bentley in Waltham, MA: May 1, Professional Development Day, Massachusetts Bay Chapter of the Project Management Institute. Register now.
   
• Fort Wayne, IN: September 22, Monthly Meeting, Northeast Indiana Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   
• Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS: October 4, Professional Development Day, Kansas City Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
   
• Download to
  your calendarMITRE, in Bedford, MA: February 15, 2011, Monthly Meeting, Boston SPIN.
   

Managing Virtual Teams for Real Results

Managing global or dispersed teams is challenging — miscommunications, misunderstandings, and interpersonal conflict all thrive in the typical environment of the distributed team. And they're even more common in global teams, because of time-zone offsets and language and cultural differences. We'll inventory the challenges distributed and global teams face, and provide tools for anticipating and addressing them. The focus of this program is practical — attendees will learn concrete techniques for preventing and dealing with the problems that accompany global and distributed teams. Read more about this program. Here's an upcoming date for this program:

• Download to
  your calendarKitchener, Ontario: May 19, Dinner Meeting, PMI Canada's Technology Triangle Chapter.
   

Articles

"Gaining Mastery over Meetings" in the Boston Globe

Meetings aren't just business and PowerPoint. There's quite a bit of batting the ball back and forth — what we might call meeting repartee. The tactics of meeting repartee are fascinating, and perfecting your technique can advance your career. This article appeared in the Boston Globe's "View from the Cube" column for July 3, 2005.

Free Newsletter

Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter, or view the archive of back issues, organized by date or organized by topic.

Available publications

Choose from a collection of ebooks and tips booklets designed for busy people working in problem solving organizations who want to achieve greater success for their companies and for themselves.

With Danny Faught, Get to the Point, a column on delivering news, especially bad news, up the management chain. At StickyMinds.com.

Ever wonder about the reliability of your risk management process? Look for my article "The Organizational Politics of Risk Management" in the February 2009 issue of the Cutter IT Journal. There I explore a broad array of influences of organizational politics on the objectivity and utility of risk management processes and products. Included is a framework for changing your organization's politics to insulate risk management from toxic politics.

Are you an organizational Leader who wants to hone your political skills? Look for my article "Achieving Political Mastery" in the April 2005 issue of the Cutter IT Journal. You'll learn how to assess your own political situation, and how to guide your organization toward a more politically effective posture.

And from July through October, 2005, I wrote a series of articles on dealing with troubled projects. They appeared in the Cutter Enterprise Risk Management & Governance Advisor, a weekly email newsletter from Cutter Consortium. Sign up.

You can also find my work in two books from Dorset House:

Amplifying Your Effectiveness, Gerald M. Weinberg, James Bach and Naomi Karten, eds., is a compendium of articles by the organizers of the Amplifying Your Effectiveness Conference. It covers topics in personal empowerment, interpersonal interaction, mastering projects, and changing the organization.

Shaping Projects: A Roundtable on Best Practices, James Bullock, Gerald M. Weinberg, and Marie Benesh, eds., is a collection of the most powerful and provocative points of debate from the SHAPE forum at Jerry Weinberg's Web site.

Selected Interviews and Quotes

Slow economy gives some managers excuse to bully workers, by Brian J. O'Connor. The swine flu panic is over, but an epidemic of some really piggish behavior is already infecting the office, where the bad economy is turning bosses into bullies. Detroit News, May 7, 2009. Download in Acrobat format.

The Dark Side of Crowdsourcing, by Erika Morphy. Crowdsourcing has been touted as an efficient and inexpensive business practice, but can it really be a win-win proposition? LinuxInsider.com, April 24, 2009. Download in Acrobat format.

Redefining Stakeholder Roles, by Bob Weinstein. A cost-cutting, tense economy has changed every aspect of project management, affecting all the important participants -- especially stakeholders. GanttHead.com, March 23, 2009. Download in Acrobat format.

Talking politics in the office is a bad idea. During the political season, what should you watch out for in office conversations? The New York Daily News, October 21, 2008. Download in Acrobat format.

Parental Pull: How to Prepare for an Elder-Care Emergency, by Sue Shellenbarger. Many employees now face the need to plan for the unplannable events that arise when caring for frail aged parents. CareerJournal.com, September 10, 2008. Download in Acrobat format. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.

Parental Pull: How to Prepare for an Elder-Care Emergency, by Sue Shellenbarger. Many employees now face the need to plan for the unplannable events that arise when caring for frail aged parents. The Wall Street Journal, September 10, 2008. Download in Acrobat format. This article also appeared at CareerJournal.com on September 10, 2008.

Resolving Workplace Conflicts: Mediation can help you make the best of a bad work environment, by Richard Berman. If you're in a challenging work environment with lots of toxic conflcit, telling your boss off and hitting the road might feel good but in today's uncertain economy there's no guarantee that there will be another job waiting for you. San Francisco Chronicle, July 6, 2008. Download in Acrobat format.

Whatever You Say, Boss, by Vickie Elmer. If you have one of those bosses who talks all the time, you probably can't just say, "shut up and listen," much as you might like that. The Washington Post, June 26, 2008. Download in Acrobat format.

Executive recruiting: Work culture best selling point, by Jennifer LeClaire. The most critical challenge facing America's chief executives and their organizations is finding and retaining the best talent, particularly in top leadership positions. Boston Business Journal, December 28, 2007. Download in Acrobat format.

, by Robert Snair. The book shows you how to be the kind of leader who can open the path to success for yourself and your team in any goal-oriented situation. (cover text) Alpha, November 6, 2007.

When Extreme Weather Strikes, by Amy E. Lemen. A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, so the saying goes — but what if the weather turns dangerous at an event where hundreds, perhaps thousands, are in attendance? That's one responsibility that venue and event managers take extremely seriously. Venue Safety and Security, Summer, 2007.

Approaching Your Boss on a Sensitive Subject, by Diana Bocco. If the subject is not time-sensitive, give yourself some time to think about it. Consider your options and don't do anything until you're sure about the right thing to say. 100 Hats, August 10, 2007.

When the Boss Talks Politics , by Scott Flander. When bosses talk about their political preferences around subordinates, it isn't as harmless as it might seem -- it can hurt a company's bottom line. HR Executive Online, August 7, 2007. Download in Acrobat format.

Now's the Time To Plot For a Promotion, by Virginia Backaitis. It may seem too early to hit your boss up for a promotion, but now is the time. New York Post, March 5, 2007.

12 quick IT productivity wins, by Dan Tynan. Already lapsed on your New Year's resolutions? It's not too late. These quick IT fixes will make you and your department look good. InfoWorld, February 5, 2007. Download in Acrobat format.

Project Management Best Practices, by Jeff Merron. Top tips to ensure your projects meet expectations. InfoEdge, January 15, 2007.

Change Culture, by Sheryl Nance-Nash. Opening closed minds can stimulate change and help create a constructive corporate culture. Insight Magazine, September 1, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

The Devil Wears Scrubs: How to deal with inept bosses, by Leah R. Troiano. Ineptness comes in many flavors. The most common types of inept bosses are: the unfit, the corrupt and the inexperienced. RT Image, August 21, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

5 Dampers on IT Worker Confidence , by Deborah Rothberg . For the fourth month in a row, technology professionals have felt more confident in their jobs than the U.S. workforce at large, according to the Hudson Employment Index for IT Workers released July 5. eWeek, July 7, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

The Workplace: Criticizing your boss: A survivor's guide, by Matt Villano. You and your colleagues have concluded that your supervisor is incompetent. How do you lobby for his removal without damaging your own career? International Herald Tribune, June 27, 2006. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in The New York Times.

Career Couch: The Perils of an Office Coup, by Matt Vilano. You and your colleagues have concluded that your supervisor is incompetent. How do you lobby for his removal without damaging your own career? The New York Times, June 25, 2006. Download in Acrobat format. This article also appeared in the International Herald Tribune on June 27, 2006.

Employee makeover, by Lisa Radke. In many ways, companies are similar to high school. There are certain cliques, inside jokes and even office nerds. Though talk of nerds may conjure up images of taped glasses and pocket protectors, those nerdy characteristics could be prevalent in your office. Newsday, June 11, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Growing Up, by Peter Fretty. Sometimes the best way to spark growth in the organization is to shake up the portfolio. PM Netork, June 1, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

How to Divorce Your Vendor, by Dan Tynan. Untying the knot can open up a world of pain and regret — unless you follow a few simple rules. InfoWorld, June 1, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Getting it done among multitaskers, by Mildred L. Culp. Have you ever worked on a project where a multitasker seemed to be in another orbit, oblivious to your need for project completion? Whether the person was your co-worker, consulting client, supervisee or boss, you may have been climbing the walls. The San Bernardino Sun, May 14, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Von Eschenbach's NCI 'Farewell Reception,' Gift Solicitation, Raises Legal And Ethical Issues, by Kirsten Boyd Goldberg and Paul Goldberg. A Òfarewell receptionÓ planned in honor of NCI Director Andrew von Eschenbach raises legal and ethical concerns, lawyers say. The Cancer Letter, May 1, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Career Couch: Sticky Fingers in the Supply Closet, by Matt Villano. The office supply cabinet at work overflows with pens and Post-it notes, and you figure that nobody will notice if you take some extra stuff. At what point does stocking up become stealing? The New York Times, April 30, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Dumping your technology vendor? Let reason prevail, by Dan Tynan. When itÕs time to move on, be sure youÕre parting for the right reasons. InfoWorld, April 27, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Creative Workplace Happier Workers, by Dave Simanoff. About the benefits that good architecture and interior design can bring to the workplace. The Tampa Tribune, April 18, 2006. Download in Acrobat format.

Managing conflict: first, know it's inevitable, by Repps Hudson. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 31, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

It's best to avoid hot topics at work, by Donna Dilley. There's an old expression that says that pig farming is a better topic of conversation than politics or religion. In the workplace, many believe political discussions can create obstacles that make harmonious cooperation more difficult. Blue Ridge Business Journal, October 31, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

Miers' gushing notes to Bush put currying favor in the spotlight, by Robin Abcarian, the LA Times. Move over Eddie Haskell. Harriet Miers could teach you a thing or two about sucking up. The Seattle Times, October 26, 2005. Download in Acrobat format. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

The timeless art of flattery, by Robin Abcarian, the LA Times. Harriet Miers. Eddie Haskell. Your co-workers. They've all indulged in currying favor with higher-ups. The Baltimore Sun, October 24, 2005. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

The timeless art of flattery, by Robin Abcarian. Harriet Miers. Eddie Haskell. Your co-workers. They've all indulged in currying favor with higher-ups. But the payoff isn't always clear -- unless you live in Los Angeles or Washington, where there seems to be no such thing as inappropriate fawning. Los Angeles Times, October 21, 2005. Download in Acrobat format. This article also appeared in The Baltimore Sun on October 24, 2005; and in The Seattle Times on October 26, 2005.

Chemistry is the key to a working partnership, by Joyce Pellino Crane. Respect, humor, and passion for the job can build successful working partnerships. The Boston Globe, October 12, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

Keep venting about job woes to family under control, by Maggie Jackson. We often bring home more than a paycheck and a laptop from the office. We cross the front door loaded with emotional baggage that we expect and need to share with spouses and other family members. Done wrong, however, this sharing can become toxic. The Boston Globe, September 11, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

Ovulating? Depressed? What Not to Talk About at Work, by Sue Shellenbarger / Wall Street Journal. In an era when almost anything goes, are any topics still taboo at work? Chicago Sun-Times, July 27, 2005. Download in Acrobat format. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.

Some water cooler talk still is treated as taboo, by Sue Shellenbarger / Wall Street Journal. At a time when just about anything goes, certain topics are still a little too hot to handle. The Detroit News, July 25, 2005. Download in Acrobat format. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.

Ovulating? Depressed? What Not to Talk About at Work, by Sue Shellenbarger . In an era when almost anything goes, are any topics still taboo at work? CareerJournal.com, July 22, 2005. Download in Acrobat format. This article is a republication of an article that originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.

Ovulating? Depressed? What Not to Talk About at Work, by Sue Shellenbarger . In an era when almost anything goes, are any topics still taboo at work? The Wall Street Journal, July 21, 2005. Download in Acrobat format. This article also appeared at CareerJournal.com on July 22, 2005; in The Detroit News on July 25, 2005; and in the Chicago Sun-Times on July 27, 2005.

A studied effort to gain mastery over meetings, by Rick Brenner. Like you, I've attended way too many meetings. After a while, you pretty much know where things are about to go. The Boston Globe, July 3, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

GO TEAM! Team Building Matures as Management Pursues Productivity, by John Nemo . What is team building? Or more important, what is effective team building? Effect Magazine, July, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

How to divorce your vendor, by Dan Tynan. Untying the knot can open up a world of pain and regret — unless you follow a few simple rules. Computerworld, May 17, 2005. Download in Acrobat format.

How to douse the fuse when the political talk heats up, by Kristin Dizon and Paul Nyhan. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 30, 2004. Download in Acrobat format.

The Big Sleep, by John Edwards. With the economy on the upswing, business managers look to revive IT projects. It's not always easy. CFO Magazine, April, 2004. Download in Acrobat format.

Four things youcan do to get workers to tell you the truth. A monthly newsletter of Feature Articles, One-Minute Ideas, Anecdotes, Quotes, Statistics, and Humor and Trivia. Motivational Manager, June 1, 2002. Download in Acrobat format.