Joseph D. Launi

launi_joePresentation: Understanding and Leading Project Team Members

Abstract: Motivation, worker behavior, and efficiency studies have been conducted since the industrial revolution. Management scientists like Abraham Maslow, Frederick Herzberg, and David McClelland all conducted studies in an attempt to better understand what truly motivates the average worker. These findings and additional studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and PME’s own survey of project managers and team members will all be discussed to further understand how to tap into the human psyche and position our project team members to be increasingly focused and productive. Each student will leave with a list of lessons learned and some actions to create a truly satisfying and productive project environment. This unique perspective considers the role of the whole team member and not just the “worker bee” that comes to work every day. In addition, the course explores Servant Leadership, a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world.

This course is structured as follows:

  • Introduction
  • Morale and Motivational Theories
    • Traditional Theories of Motivation
    • MIT Federal Reserve Board Study
    • Attitude Study by Project Management Experts (PME)
    • Case Studies/Exercises
  • Recommendations and Conclusions
  • Servant Leadership Principles. A servant leader is:
    • A person of character
    • Puts People First
    • Skilled Communicator
    • Compassionate Collaborator
    • Has Foresight
    • Systems Thinker
    • Leads with Moral Authority
  • Final Exercise/Role Play

Biography: Joseph (Joe) D. Launi, PMP, is the President of Project Management Experts. He has over 30 years of project management and PMO experience supporting federal agencies and government contractors. He has worked tirelessly to develop a solid reputation for delivering successful projects and improving project management processes. Mr. Launi is a proven project management executive with extensive experience encompassing:

  • Project Management Office (PMO) leadership;
  • Development and management of PMO policies, best practices and methodologies;
  • Development and presentation of project management training;
  • Implementation of project management software solutions;
  • Information technology project and program oversight;
  • Research and development into motivation and morale building programs; and
  • Profit and loss management of various consulting practice areas.

He has published numerous works in areas such as software implementation, project planning and team motivation. Project Management Experts specializes in providing progressive technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management training specially to support PMI’s Talent Triangle.