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Praise for Be a Project Motivator

Ruth is among the best project managers Ive had the privilege of working with in my twenty-five years in business. She is able to take a seed, a mere idea, and cultivate it into a fully flourishing plant, a successful project. And all this with generosity, humor, and sensitivity.

Tal Ben-Shahar, bestselling author of Happier and founder of the Happiness Studies Academy

In her book, Be a Project Motivator, Ruth Pearce has created a toolbox that should be on every businesspersons and entrepreneurs shelf. Throughout the book, Pearce integrates the most important rule of cultural awarenessthe platinum rule of mutual respect. With this book on your desk or in your bag, we can have a little bit of Ruth Pearce and her fabulous coaching and persistent positive guidance with us whenever we need her!

Gwendolyn VanSant, CEO and Founding Director, BRIDGE, and Equity and Inclusion Team Lead, Imagine Philanthropy

Ruth Pearce has written one of the must-read primers for project managers that will soon become an industry staple. She provides you with her lessons learned from thirty years of project management work on high-profile and complex projects.

John Garahan, Vice President, Global Delivery, Broadridge Financial Solutions

Enliven and optimize your project management! Read this book to get Ruth Pearces special magic dust culled from her deep experience mixed with the newest scientific discoveries on human motivation and engagement.

Neal H. Mayerson, PhD, founder and Chairman, VIA Institute on Character

The age-old dilemma of responsibility without authority makes it a challenge for project managers to effectively engage and motivate people. The insights in the book are ideal for those wanting to capitalize on their strengths while being aware of and improving their areas for development. If you are serious about your impact and success as a project manager, this is a must-read.

Cathy Liska, CEO, Center for Coaching Certification

Ruths extensive research from the fields of positive psychology and neuroscience are easily woven into a classic workplace example that we can relate to and learn from. The Making It Stick and Strategies for Success sections in each chapter are helpful and a great review. The timetable at the end of the book is an excellent tool to get started in developing ones skills as a successful and sought-after project manager so that you can pull greatness from your team.

Patrice Palmer, MEd, MA, CPP, owner of Happiness @ Work

Having walked the path of global project team management, I can say that this guidebook would have helped me be more effective and enjoyablethis is a must-read for anyone in a similar role.

Gary Keil, PhD, RPh, cofounder of Growth Leaders Network

I saw myself in Ruths examples repeatedly. This book is so very relatable to the teams I work with every day! This book puts a new spin on antiquated ways of thinking. It provides great tips that are practical and can be implemented right away.

Chorobis Drakes, PMP, member of Southern New England Chapter, Project Management Institute

Ruths book, Be a Project Motivator, chronicles how to engage project team members and stakeholders. The PM transforms her 100-strong team from being tired and dispirited to being motivated, engaged, and committed to succeed! Any PM will enjoy reading the book and also benefit from reading it.

Peter Lyons, CORE02 Technical Product Manager, UniCredit Services

Ruth Pearces book is an excellent, well-researched tool kit for successful project management. Leveraging your character strengths to turn potential team collisions into collaborationsthis book is a must-read!

Fatima Doman, bestselling author of Authentic Strengths and True You! Authentic Strengths for Kids

Ruth Pearce takes the best and most pertinent research findings from positive psychology and weaves real-life stories into applied lessons that everyone can learn and benefit from. Her passion for connecting people with systems that change and enhance their lives sparkles on every page and makes this a must-have read for anyone who wants to be masterful in project and people management.

Caroline Adams Miller, MAPP, bestselling author of Creating Your Best Life, Getting Grit, and My Name Is Caroline

Be a Project

MOTIVATOR

Unlock the Secrets of Strengths-Based Project Management

Ruth Pearce, PMP, JD

Be a Project Motivator

Copyright 2018 by Ruth Pearce

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Ordering information for print editions

Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the Berrett-Koehler address above.

Individual sales. Berrett-Koehler publications are available through most bookstores. They can also be ordered directly from Berrett-Koehler: Tel: (800) 929-2929; Fax: (802) 864-7626; www.bkconnection.com

Orders for college textbook/course adoption use. Please contact Berrett-Koehler: Tel: (800) 929-2929; Fax: (802) 864-7626.

Distributed to the U.S. trade and internationally by Penguin Random House Publisher Services.

Berrett-Koehler and the BK logo are registered trademarks of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

First Edition

Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-5230-9579-7

PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-5230-9580-3

IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-5230-9581-0

Digital audio ISBN 978-1-5230-9583-4

2018-1

Book producer: Westchester Publishing Services

Cover designer: Sue Malikowski, Designleaf Studio

To Project Managersthe Carriers of the Project Flame

It will take the linking of arms of kindred spirits into an endless chain of advocates in order to tilt humanity towards its better nature.

Neal Mayerson, chairman, VIA Institute on Character

And to my US family, Gareth, Ben, Beckie,

Aavia, and Desi: you are my guiding lights.

And to my UK family, Jo, Peter, John, Susannah, and Esm: the best of Mum and Dad lives on in you.

M ore than ever before, project managers rely on the good will of others to achieve project success. As project managers, we leverage intangibles like influence, empathy, creativity, and leadership in our quest to enlist stakeholders to help solve real-world problems. We use these intangibles not as optional or nice-to-have features but rather as the essential working capital that we bargain with to get things done.