Live Webinar May 26th, 2015 – 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Presented by:  Human Capital Institute
Webinar Duration: 1 Hour Credits: 1 Category C PDU – Free PDU

Project Managers Deal With Complexity Every Day!

The latest business surveys show that critical thinking now ranks as the most desired leadership attribute for businesses (see the EDA Trends in Executive Development Report).

While critical thinking works well for complicated environments where answers can be found by concertedly applying good processes, additional skills are needed to survive under “Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous” (VUCA) conditions.

For VUCA environments, where causes and effects are unclear and creative solutions often trump tried-and-true processes, leaders and organizations need an expanded set of “cognitive readiness” competencies.

The U.S. Armed Forces originally developed the concept of cognitive readiness.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, service-members have found themselves thrust into VUCA, high-scrutiny, and high-tempo conflicts.

Each situation must be approached with reflection and creativity, the adaptability to notice and react quickly to evolving conditions, and a strategic understanding of the larger system and far-reaching effects of actions taken within it.

Although business leaders (hopefully) don’t face the same threats as military personnel, corporations encounter their own sets of challenges and often operate under commiserate levels of complexity, scrutiny, and time pressure.

What You’ll Learn:

1. How to distinguish different levels of complexity
2. How the brain works—not just decision-making but also the critical processes that support it
3. Differences between the concepts of “cognitive readiness” and “critical thinking”
4. Seven core competencies leaders need to excel under VUCA conditions

Presenters:

• Sae Schatz (LinkedIn profile) Ph.D., Senior Consultant, Executive Development Associates
• Lynn Pollard (LinkedIn profile) Senior Consultant and Master Facilitator, Executive Development Associates

PDU Category C documentation details
Process Groups: Executing
Knowledge Areas: 4 – Integration9 – Human Resources

• 4.3 Direct and Manage Project Execution
• 9.3 Develop Project Team
• 9.4 Manage Project Team

As a Category C ‘Self Directed Learning Activity’ remember to document your learning experience and its relationship to project management for your ‘PDU Audit Trail Folder’

Click to register for Beyond Critical Thinking: Making Smart Decisions Under Complexity