Elevator pitch, describe yourself in 3 words

I am resilient, focused and creative.

With most people working from home and their work being assessable to them 24/7 what is the best advice you’d give on how to switch off to avoid burn out?

First, take breaks. Nothing will happen if you mute your phone and close your laptop for 10-15 minutes every two hours or so. You would do it in the office: walk over to the nearest coffee shop, have a water cooler conversation with colleagues, etc. You need to do this also now.

Same for lunch, always take lunch. Set yourself also an evening “clocking out” time and turn off your phone and laptop. For real. If you absolutely must log in, do this only after 2 hours from clocking out time, and be brief - just to see if the world was set on fire in the meantime, but then switch off again, don’t reply unless you MUST do it at that time.

If you were to choose one thing in your opinion what is the key to successfully managing projects/teams remotely?

See the above really, encourage your team to switch off – never request a reply or action after hours or weekends unless it’s a real emergency (one of those that happen once a year) or unless the nature of their work requires it (shifts/on-call). The work and life balance has never been more important than it is now.

Have fun zoom calls, activities such as painting together or solving puzzles as a team, but never oblige people to participate in fun activities if they don’t want to – be sympathetic and understanding of people’s circumstances. 

Do you think we can learn anything from working remotely? And if so what is it?

The learning curve of the global workforce for the past 12 months has been unprecedented. Everybody learnt so much and I cannot of course give you a blanket-wide accurate answer. Personally, I learnt to trust people even more than usual – their intentions, their hard work and commitment. I learnt how it is so incredibly important to connect as people before connecting as co-workers, regardless of each other’s roles and responsibilities. 

What’s one of your favourite resources for project management and/or one you think is needed in the community.

Trust is a resource. If you trust, if you value trust in others, you will earn their respect, and their loyalty and commitment. Assuming the best in others is by far the best tool you’ll have whenever dealing with people, at work, managing people, and in the community and in your own home.

What have been the biggest challenges in your career to date?

I was leading a project to implement a Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery policy into tactical operational steps: during the first test of a failover scenario the primary network did not come back up and we remained blocked on the DR environment for two hours. The thorough preparation and planning beforehand saved us.

What has been the proudest moment in your life so far?

When I was awarded the leadership of the most complex project I have managed to date and with a company wide strategic visibility. Planning it and seeing through the most critical milestones has been extremely rewarding.

Flash Questions

Agile, Waterfall, Wagile or What’s your preferred project management methodology?
To me, the best method is a marriage between Waterfall and Agile.

Cause you’re Passionate about?
Putting an end to homelessness – everybody should be allowed a decent roof over their head.

Favourite Podcast or Blog?
The David McWilliams Podcast

Favourite Singer/Band?
Muse but also Chet Baker and Mozart

What’s the best book you’ve ever read/listened to?
Prisoners Of Geography by Tim Marshall

Other Jobs you’ve had in the past?
Other than Project Manager I worked as a Technical Account Manager, a System and Network Engineer, a Technical Support Engineer, and as a student as a minstrel! 

Favourite line from a song, movie or poem?
You could be my unintended choice to live my life extended – Muse, Unintended.

Favourite Singer/Band?
Don Baker

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

Other Jobs you’ve had in the past?
Waitress, Office Temp, Childcare Assistant (that one didn’t last long!).