[06:19] If you weren’t in technology, what would you be doing?

I retired from the military around 8 years ago, but I can’t see anything that isn’t tech related. I’ve always had a fascination for technology. I’m more on the operations side of things, and if that’s where your curiosity lies, that’s where you’re going to end up.

[10:30] You currently work at Hickory Transportation. Is that a freight company?

We are a logistics company and we are more or less a freight management company. We have our trucks; we do all kinds of logistics. Our parent company is Hickory Foods.

[12:05] Transportation has exploded post-COVID, but at the time it was hectic. Did you experience that?

Absolutely. Our organization and technology shifted drastically. It was a very static company before the pandemic. Remote work wasn’t even a thought. All we needed was phone and email and that was it. We shifted almost overnight to become more flexible.

It’s changed the strategy of our company. In between sending people to work from home, we’ve been doing upgrades to a cloud-based system and our phone system. We also relocated in 2020. We went from a small number of remote support cases into the thousands. We had shipping delays and a freight backlog for 2 years in some areas. The need for freight and transport almost tripled overnight. Priorities quickly shifted from cost to how dynamic and scalable can the business be.

[19:25] Let’s talk about project management and how you approach it.

I am a certified PMP, and what led me to certification was my years in the military. I needed the bureaucracy and structure side of things coming out of the military. I’m not as rigid as I am fluid in this environment.

[21:40] What’s the first thing you do when you get a project?

I need to know about the time. When is it due? That’s the biggest thing for me. Then expectations. What are we realistically looking for; what do we want the outcome to be? I try to remove myself from an authoritarian position, because my job is to actualize their goals for the business. I give input, but ultimately, if it’s for the good of the business, I just give them the facts as they stand. If it’s a technology project, that’s different; that’s in my wheelhouse. I am directing things, and I spend hours researching vendors, items, opportunities, and what will be of most benefit to us. I talk to the higher-ups regularly about the business.

[31:45] Let’s discuss dealing with arguments or problem-solving in project management.

You have to consider everything, especially expectations. Don’t promise to over-deliver on a project. Have honest conversations with those in the C-suite. For example, during our move in 2020, I was honest and said I would need to bring in extra people. You have to realistically lay things out if you want to reach your target. You have to discuss options. I’ll try to operate as fast as possible and work to prioritize problems.

[36:30] Service Leadership is a style that leads to better collaboration.

What those people are saying and what they understand in terms of the project and potential problems make those styles of leaders the most valuable voice in the room. You have to evaluate what you can and can’t do, and you have to listen to everyone.

[40:28] Let’s talk about overcoming internal resistance.

This involves change management and the freeze and thaw. Some you will win, some you won’t. Most people are good with changes as long as it is communicated well. Be genuine, be professional, and discuss. Some don’t need that, but for others, you need to drill into the benefits and reality and then listen to their concerns. These conversations need to be real. Sometimes you will lose people. If the CEO and upper management need to execute something and you don’t want to go along, then we can either help you out or help you find the door. There’s a cost.

[52:05] What would you say to someone just getting into IT?

Stick with it. That seems simplistic, but it’s true. Your first job isn’t going to be a super glamorous or integral role, but even small roles are important. If you’re in it for the pay cheque only in the beginning, you won’t get far. It takes passion.