I would like to first thank Peter Taylor. He not only provided the foreword to this book, but he also took a chance on me when we coauthored (along with Ron Rosenhead) Strategies for Project Sponsorship. It was his encouragement (and referral) that led to this first solo book endeavor. I hope I can bring just a fraction of his wit and humor into the manuscript for a more enjoyable read.
Thank-you to Karl Weigers, author and Principal Consultant of Process Impact, for his assistance and mentorship over the past 13 years. My first interaction with Karl was when I had e-mailed him through his website asking for advice on how to get a sponsor to prioritize project requirements. It became apparent after about 30 minutes that he did not have a magic bullet and that I had taken all the appropriate steps. I’ll never forget his words, “I cannot help you with unreasonable people.” This was an “ah ha” moment that helped me to understand when to let go and simply adjust to the circumstance. Karl later published Pearls from Sand: How small encounters lead to powerful lessons, a collection of stories from his own encounters. Karl has provided me with one of my biggest “pearls,” and continues to be a great friend and mentor.
The truth is, this was not a solo project. I could not have done it without the support and candor of my friends who took the time to review and provide honest feedback on an early draft. Thank you Bob Prentiss, Jeff Furman, and Tim Kloppenborg.