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  Comprehensive Project Management Plan – Desalegn Terecha Successful Project Management Plan Author: Desalegn Terecha Effective project management is not simply a technical exercise; it is a structured discipline that integrates clarity, coordination, risk awareness, communication, and strategic thinking. The following comprehensive plan presents a deeply refined and human-centered approach designed to guide project teams through every stage of execution—from vision formulation to progress monitoring. By expanding the traditional 12-step project framework, this document provides a practical roadmap that organizations can apply to projects of any scale. 1. Establishing the Project Vision & Direction Every successful project begins with a compelling vision—a statement that communicates the future impact, purpose, and intended destination. The vision sets the tone, ensuring everyone understands why the project matters and how it contributes to organizationa...

  Punctuality, Culture, and Trust: The Practical Project Manager’s Guide Punctuality, Culture, and Trust: The Practical Project Manager’s Guide By Desalegn Terecha — BA (Economics), MA (Social Anthropology), BED (Education), CIPM (Certified International Project Manager). Experience across higher learning institutions, development & humanitarian programs, and business development services. This article blends practical project management experience with clear examples, tables, and two charts illustrating competency and time allocation. Royalty-free images are embedded to support the narrative. Project teams that respect time tend to perform with greater clarity and cohesion. In project work, whether you’re coordinating a school eye-screening program, managing procurement for an agribusiness hub, or running a training course across regions, punctuality is more than “being on time.” It is a cultural signal—a quick test of respect, reliab...

  The Unseen Pillar of Professional Excellence: Culture, Trust, and Punctuality The Unseen Pillar of Professional Excellence: Culture, Trust, and Punctuality By: Desalegn Terecha | December 2025 Across more than a decade of managing complex projects, coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, and working in time-critical environments, I’ve learned one simple truth: punctuality is never “just about time.” It is the quiet, invisible foundation holding together trust, culture, and performance. When it falters, everything around it weakens. Punctuality is not about the clock—it’s about culture, respect, and leadership. Years ago, during one of the largest project cycles I ever managed, a partner organization arrived late for a planning meeting that was supposed to kick off a six-month operational rollout. Their delay seemed small at first—just 30 minutes. But what followed was a ripple of confusion: delayed decisions, slow...

  The Barking Dog in the Office: Understanding and Addressing Toxic Workplace Behavior The Barking Dog in the Office: Understanding and Addressing Toxic Workplace Behavior By Desalegn Terecha Have you ever walked into an office where someone acts like a guard dog—barking, territorial, suspicious of every move you make? They may not growl, but their energy and behavior send a clear message: "Don't touch what’s mine." In many organizations, these "barking dogs" aren’t literal animals—but people. Colleagues who, due to insecurity or control issues, create a toxic atmosphere that makes others feel unsafe, unwelcome, or unworthy. In this article, we explore how to identify these traits, why they emerge, and how to transform the workplace into a healthier, more cooperative environment. Understanding the “Office Dog” Metaphor Let’s break it down: a territorial dog barks inside its owner’s compound not because there’s real danger, bu...

  Applying 'Don’t Be Evil' to Workplace Toxicity and Narcissistic Behavior Applying “Don’t Be Evil” to Workplace Toxicity and Narcissistic Behavior By Desalegn Terecha June 19, 2025 Introduction – Bringing “Don’t Be Evil” Into the Workplace Google’s once-famous motto, “Don’t Be Evil,” captures a deep and timeless ethical idea: Do no harm. In a world where workplaces can become breeding grounds for narcissism, manipulation, and toxicity, this principle serves as both a shield and a mirror. This blog explores how applying this principle, alongside the Golden Rule—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—can help us critically examine toxic behaviors, build resilience, and promote a culture of respect and empathy. Understanding Workplace Toxicity Workplace toxicity doesn't always look explosive. Often, it's quiet: the invisible burden of manipulation, constant ego games, or emotional invalidation. This toxicity drains creativ...

  Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” – What It Really Means for Us All Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” – What It Really Means for Us All By Desalegn Terecha June 19, 2025 Introduction: The Simplicity and Power Behind “Don’t Be Evil” "Don't Be Evil" — a three-word motto that once defined Google’s ethical core. While it may seem like a minimalist corporate slogan, this phrase contains profound moral, psychological, and philosophical implications. In an increasingly digitized and ethically complex world, this reminder echoes timeless wisdom — like the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In this article, we explore how this guiding principle aligns with ancient moral teachings, psychological insights, and the urgent need to observe and resist toxic and narcissistic behaviors — in business, personal relationships, and online life. The Origins of “Don’t Be Evil” First introduced by Google employees Paul Buchheit and...

  The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature By Desalegn Terecha | Economist, Sociologist & Human Development Specialist A Peaceful Scene... or a Warning? Imagine a tranquil image: two small birds resting on a fresh green branch, gentle rain falling around them. Beneath them lies a perfectly crafted nest—symbol of home, safety, and purpose. But inside, coiled in silence, is a snake. What was meant to be a cradle of life has become a place of hidden danger. And in this image lies a powerful metaphor for our careers. Sometimes, the Workplace Is the Snake's Nest Many of us enter new jobs with hope. The company looks great on the surface. The onboarding feels smooth. Managers smile. The office coffee is good. But sometimes, beneath that welcoming exterior lies disarray—poor leadership, internal politics, or burnout culture. What you thought would protect your future might ...

  How to Become SMART with Lean Six Sigma Global: A Transformational Guide SEO Meta-Description: Discover how Lean Six Sigma Global's SMART model cultivates self-confidence, mental mastery, resilience, responsibility, and time-conscious living for personal and professional growth. How to Become SMART with Lean Six Sigma Global Introduction: The SMART Philosophy Redefined In today’s high-pressure world, success requires more than just intelligence or talent. At Lean Six Sigma Global, becoming SMART involves a deep transformation across five crucial attributes: Self-confidence, Mastering the Mind, Ability, Responsibility, and Time-based living. This guide explores how to cultivate each quality to unlock your highest potential. S: Self-Confidence Understanding Self-Confidence Beyond Ego True self-confidence comes from inner acknowledgment of your strengths, not from arrogance. At Lean Six Sigma Global, we embrace our qualities with humility and aspire to greatness without fea...

Choose Your Circle Wisely Choose Your Circle Wisely: The Power of the Company You Keep Have you ever paused to reflect on the people you spend most of your time with? The friends you call, the colleagues you lean on, the family members you confide in—each of them plays a role in shaping who you are and who you are becoming. The energy and attitudes of those around us either elevate or diminish our potential. If we want to grow, thrive, and live purposeful lives, we must be intentional about the company we keep. People Are Mirrors Those closest to us often reflect what we allow, tolerate, and prioritize. Positive people mirror our strengths, while toxic people highlight our insecurities. The choice is ours. The Right People Bring Out the Best in You Supportive people remind us of our value, challenge us to grow, and stay present through life’s ups and downs. They amplify our purpose. ...

  When an Elder Dies, a Library Burns Desalegn Tetecha When an Elder Dies, a Library Burns: African Wisdom for Personal Development In Africa, there's a powerful proverb: “When an elder dies, a library burns.” It is more than poetic—it’s a reflection of how much knowledge, experience, and wisdom is stored within the minds of African elders. These libraries are not built with bricks or filled with shelves, but they are embedded in the memories of grandmothers, in the rhythmic chants of griots, and in the subtle morals of folktales. In the modern world obsessed with digital data, we must not overlook the intangible yet profound life skills and philosophies passed through African oral traditions. Oral Traditions: Africa’s Living Libraries Before books and internet, African communities survived, grew, and thrived through the oral transmission of knowledge. This wasn’t just information—it was culture, identity, and values. Through storytelling, songs, proverbs, a...

 The Leadership We Never Forget: Lessons from Great Bosses Desalegn T Leadership isn't just about holding a position of power; it's about the lasting impact a leader has on their team. Some bosses inspire, mentor, and shape careers in ways that employees remember for a lifetime. Drawing insights from leadership and organizational behavior philosophies, let's explore the key traits of unforgettable bosses and the impact they create. 1. Inspiring Us to Aim Higher Great leaders, as described by Jim Collins in Good to Great, see potential in their team members before they even recognize it themselves. According to Carol Dweck’s Mindset, fostering a growth mindset helps employees push beyond their perceived limits, turning ambition into an expectation rather than just a possibility. 2. Defending Us When Needed Trust and loyalty are the bedrock of effective leadership. Daniel Goleman, in Emotional Intelligence, highlights how supportive bosses build psychologically safe workplace...

Bulletproof & Bullet-Dodge: Cultivating Resilient Personalities in the Workplace Bulletproof & Bullet-Dodge: Cultivating Resilient Personalities in the Workplace By Desalegn Terecha In today’s dynamic—and sometimes adversarial—work environments, being “bulletproof” isn’t about wearing a literal jacket. It’s about developing a resilient personality that not only withstands criticism and stress but also deftly dodges the figurative “bullets” of office politics, interpersonal conflict, and unpredictable organizational challenges. Drawing on research from psychology, organizational behavior, and legal frameworks, here’s how you can build and maintain that inner armor. 1. Understanding the Resilient Mindset Psychological Resilience and Mental Toughness Resilience is the ability to adapt in the face of adversity, stress, or change. Research in positive psychology emphasizes that mental toughness is...

 A Wake-Up Call to Toxic Bosses: Manipulation, Hypocrisy, and the Cost of a Broken Workplace Desalegn Terecha Leadership is not about control—it's about influence, trust, and the ability to bring out the best in people. Yet, some bosses misuse their position, leading with manipulation rather than integrity. They hide behind authority, using fear and deception to maintain power. Worse still, some go as far as misusing religion, disguising their toxic behavior under the cover of biblical proverbs to justify exploitation and self-serving agendas. If you are one of these so-called “leaders,” it’s time to reflect. You may believe that your tactics help you maintain power, but in reality, you are setting yourself up for failure. The people you mistreat today are the same ones you may need tomorrow. The Consequences of a Toxic Workplace Not everyone has the luxury to quit. Some employees stay because they have families to feed, rent to pay, and responsibilities they cannot walk away from....

 The Stories of Bees and Ants: Lessons in Victory from Old Shrewdness By Desalegn Terecha All through history, bees and ants have symbolized difficult work, versatility, and victory. These modest animals, regularly neglected, hold significant shrewdness that can change how we approach life, work, and victory. Antiquated teachings—from the Book of scriptures, Buddha, Greek rationalists, and Middle easterner tales—reveal the control of their illustration. Bees: Builders of a Flourishing World Bees are significant to the adjust of nature. Agreeing to the Nourishment and Horticulture Organization (FAO), about 80% of farming depends on pollinators, primarily bees (FAO, 2021). Without them, our nourishment supply would collapse. Past their biological part, bees offer ageless lessons in cooperation, devotion, and reason. 1. The Bible’s Shrewdness on Bees The Book of scriptures frequently employments bees to represent shrewdness, tirelessness, and divine arrange. In Judges 14:8-9, Sa...