09: A Good Team

I have just finished the first draft of chapter one of my new book "Agile Project Management in easy steps". It reinforced my thinking on this particular topic as in an agile project environment the team are empowered and trusted.

I have always been impressed by how well people can work in a project team if you respect them and let them get on with it. My last project team were all very professional, sure some were better at some things than others but they were all good and capable of working well and they knew their stuff. It was a real pleasure and a privilege to work with them. A good team is better than a spectacular team.

The poor project manager tries to micro-manage and become a superstar. But few superstars are down to earth and they soon get carried away with their own importance then, sooner or later, they go haywire and crash.

The Way

The wise project manager settles for good work and lets the team have the floor. The wise project manager does not try and take the credit for what happens and has no need for fame. A moderate ego demonstrates wisdom. I know this for this is the way of the project manager.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

Better stop short than fill to the brim.

Over sharpen the blade, and the edge will soon be blunt.

Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.

Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.

Retire when the work is done.

This is the way of heaven.