Episode 211 – Upstream, Downstream, and Beyond: Transforming Management

Ready to rethink leadership? Hear about an innovative framework built around four key management streams: downstream, upstream, sidestream, and the reservoir stream. These streams represent different aspects of managing oneself, managing teams, engaging with upper management, and collaborating with peers. Dalmo Cirne explains how his cross-disciplinarystrategy can transform the way we lead and manage our projects. Chapters 00:00 … Intro02:26 … Common Management Challenges03:31 … Management Streams Overview05:59 … Streams vs. Traditional Management07:20 … Managing Multiple Streams09:44 … The Management Stream Framework12:38 … Don’t Get Overwhelmed15:59 … The Reservoir Stream18:23 … The Downstream21:54 … Ren Love “Projects of the Past”24:29 … Going Upstream27:22 … The Sidestream29:36 … Building Trust31:40 … The Evolving Role of Project Managers34:14 … Get in Touch34:50 … Closing Intro DALMO CIRNE: You have to ask yourself, is it the right incentive?  Is it why I wanted to become a manager?  Or if I had an opportunity to continue on the technical side or on my individual contributor path, if that would have been more rewarding.  So, and that question can only be answered by the person themselves.  There is no correct answer to that question.  But you need to ask yourself, why did you become one?  Was it so you have the prestige?  Was it to feel important?  Those would not be the real good answers for that.  Because in management, perhaps you are not writing the code or implementing the product and doing those things.  But in management, you have access to levers where you become a multiplier. WENDY GROUNDS:  Hello and welcome to Manage This, the podcast by project managers for project managers.  It’s good to have you back with us.  I’m Wendy Grounds, and in the studio with me is Bill Yates. If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love to hear from you, whether it’s on our website Velociteach.com, on social media, or your favorite podcast app.  Your feedback helps us keep inspiring and supporting project managers like you.  And if you’ve got questions about our podcast or project management certifications, we’re here to help you.  Don’t forget you can also earn free professional development units from PMI just by listening to this episode.  Stick around until the end, and we’ll tell you how to claim those PDUs. And in today’s episode we’re exploring a fresh perspective on leadership and management with our guest, Dalmo Cirne.  He is the author of “Management Streams.”  He’s a mathematician and software engineer, and he brings three decades of experience in computer science, mathematics, and leadership to the table. BILL YATES:  Dalmo introduces a new framework that offers a cross-disciplinary strategy for management, and we’re going to get into that.  This framework is built around four key streams or core components which he defines as downstream, upstream, sidestream, and the reservoir stream. WENDY GROUNDS:  We’re going to dive into his innovative approach to management and discover how his ideas can transform the way we lead and manage in today’s ever-changing world.  Dalmo, welcome to Manage This.  We’re so glad that you’re joining us today. DALMO CIRNE:  I’m glad to be here.  Thank you for the invitation to join the show. Common Management Challenges WENDY GROUNDS:  Yeah.  We want to talk to you about management streams, and it’s just a unique approach that we’ve appreciated learning a little bit about.  So just looking back, what management challenges have you observed, and how have you addressed those? DALMO CIRNE:  That’s a great question to start.  Management is mostly focused on going downstream, and by that, I mean the teams that are directly underneath you, and the projects and the operation of those.  Basically, focusing only on managing that, it will pretty much compromise other areas that also need to be managed.  And at the end of the day,