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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

This is part of the Resources section.

7habits

For a Technical Program Manager, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey is like a multitool: a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife. Much like the structured, process-driven world of technical program management, Covey's seven habits provide a clear framework for personal and professional growth. Here's a quick rundown:

  1. Be Proactive: This is about taking initiative, a must-have for any TPM. You've got to be ahead of the game, anticipating issues and risks before they become problems.
  2. Begin with the End in Mind: Essential for project planning. Know your goals, define your project's scope and success criteria, and work towards them relentlessly.
  3. Put First Things First: Time management is key in your role. Prioritize tasks effectively, focusing on what's important, not just urgent.
  4. Think Win-Win: TPMs have to navigate complex team dynamics. Aiming for mutually beneficial solutions helps in maintaining harmony and collaboration.
  5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: This is gold for communication skills. Listen actively to your team's ideas and concerns before pushing your agenda. This applies to your stakeholders too: Understand what they want as you manage your program and team.
  6. Synergize: It's about teamwork. Leverage the strengths of your team members to achieve more than what you could alone. (Yes, "synergize" is a bit of a BigCo buzzword these days. But think of this as a reference to the word "synergy" and Buckminster Fuller's word "synergetics" instead.)
  7. Sharpen the Saw: Never stop learning and improving. As a TPM, staying updated with tech trends and honing your skills is crucial. That's why you're reading this book.

Covey's book offers a timeless set of principles that align well with the demands and challenges of a Technical Program Manager role. It's a guide for not just managing projects, but also leading a balanced, effective life.

Consider reading Good to Great by Jim Collins too.