Glue

May 15, 2022
In this debut business book, an executive applies leadership strategy to project management. Pham, who advanced from an information technology consultant to a vice president of product management, has seen project management from the middle and the top. In this well-crafted work, she is highly supportive of those project leaders who "act as the glue that binds teams together, filling gaps in process and communication wherever there is a need." From the outset, the author makes it clear that her book is not about the processes associated with project management but rather the leadership abilities necessary to become a capable project supervisor. In Part 1, Pham identifies fundamental leadership skills, including techniques for building rapport quickly, running productive meetings, asking the right questions, and documenting/synthesizing information. While this content is basic, it is actionable--and it will undoubtedly assist middle managers who have yet to develop leadership expertise. Parts 2 and 3 are much more project specific. In the second part, for example, the author shares sensible advice about setting measurable goals, managing project teams, and establishing road maps. One memorable methodology she highlights is "CALM," an acronym for "Closely Aligned, Loosely Managed." A chapter on preempting risk in this section is especially helpful. Part 3 addresses project implementation; here, Pham cites some excellent examples of how best to encourage cooperation and explains how to manage each of the elements of the well-known time-scope-resources triangle. She closes this portion with a frank acknowledgment: "There is no project I've ever led that has gone as planned. No matter how hard you try to manage or control them, change will happen." This should be comforting news to novice project leaders. Part 4 consists of just a single chapter yet it is one of the most powerful; with sincere words, Pham urges project leaders to create bonds that transcend the office and turn co-workers into friends. The best project leaders, she writes, "are the ones who--with appreciation, empathy, encouragement, trust, loyalty, and strength--from plans and goals, create work friends and work families." The author is at her best when inspiring others. A valuable, humanistic perspective on leading projects.

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