Topic: Making Emotional Conversations Un-Emotional

Abstract: Presentation Abstract: Project managers are routinely faced with dilemmas. Dilemmas such as sponsors mandating unreachable dates, teams unable to give reliable estimates, changing priorities and scope, and a myriad of other issues. The reactions to these issues generally range from utter frustration to apathy. The reactions then lead to emotional conversations such as “We can’t possibly do this by then!” or “The Sponsor doesn’t understand!” Rick will teach from his personal experience how to take these emotionally charged situations and turn them into unemotional conversations. This will not be the latest fad or psychology, but a simple, time-tested, experience based method to communicate with the entire project team from stakeholders to team members. Rick will share techniques on how to deal with mandated dates to the extremely tense post negotiation of a project gone very wrong. The techniques will be applicable for internal project managers to consultants, and everywhere in between. How to turn emotional conversations into unemotional conversations has been what Rick feels as his personal key to his success.

Presenter: Rick A. Morris

Presenter Bio: Rick A. Morris, PMP, is an ITIL Practitioner, consultant, author, mentor, and creator of a non-profit foundation to promote Project Management in charities and other non-profits. Rick is an accomplished project manager and public speaker. His appetite for knowledge and passion for the profession makes him a sought after speaker at PMI World Congress, PMI chapters, various civic organizations, and a frequent guest lecturer at local universities. He holds the PMP (Project Management Professional), MPM (Masters of Project Management), Six Sigma Green Belt, MCTS, MCSE, TQM, ATM-S, ITIL, and ISO certifications. Rick has worked for organizations such as GE, Xerox, and CA and has consulted to numerous clients in a wide variety of industries including financial services, entertainment, construction, non-profit, hospitality, pharmaceutical, retail, and manufacturing. Currently, Rick is the Chief Operating Officer for Highmark Technology. Rick as two books (“The Everything Project Management Book”, 2nd Edition to be published by Adams Media and “Project Management Strategy” published by AMACOM) that will be available spring, 2008. An active member of the Project Management Institute, Rick is no stranger to being center stage in front of large groups of people. At the early age of 11, Rick was a Walt Disney World Performer in their seasonal shows. In high school, he worked at MGM Studios on various projects including the New Mickey Mouse Club. Taking the experience of his youth and blending it with the knowledge he attained throughout his career, Rick has been able to inspire and mentor many project managers. His blend of real world experience and down to earth delivery style makes his passion for the profession contagious. You can contact Rick at rmorris@highmarktechnology.com . Back To Top