Monday, August 12, 2013

29: The Paradox of Trying

If the project manager tries to use too much pressure or force to get things done it is sure to backfire on him. By constantly intervening and interfering with the work of the team any team spirit will soon be destroyed and the quality of the work will go with it.  

The poor project manager tries to control the team rather than nurturing and encouraging them. By trying too hard and pushing the team they are blocking progress rather than encouraging it.  

The Way  
The wise project manager stays centered and grounded and encourages the team to function well by assisting them and dealing with any issues they may have.  He is there to support the team and encourage them, not to interfere.  

He who would take over the world and change it,  
Will not succeed.  
He who would try to change it, will suffer defeat.  
He who would try to seize it, will fail.  

Some creatures act, some follow.  
Some are strong, some are sick.   
Some bully, some destroy.  
Therefore the sage dismisses,  
The excessive and the extravagant.  

“The Way of the Project Manager” by John Carroll (ISBN 978-1481076111), is published by CreateSpace and available from Amazon in hard copy and on Amazon Kindle.


2 comments:

lauren said...

Interesting post. What you are describing is something I think is a key leadership quality of project managers and something which is too often either overlooked or undervalued. I've enjoyed reading your blog!

P M Blogger said...

Thanks for your feedback Lauren.
Best wishes,
John.