17: Facilitation

Lao Tsu tells us that there are four types of leaders or in our case project managers:

Those that are despised are usually weak, ineffectual project managers that are not really leaders at all, just people promoted to their level of incompetence. They struggle to get anything done and are seen as losers. We can all agree that they are poor project managers.

Next are those that are feared and who get their way by threatening and browbeating their team. They leave a trail of broken people in their wake. The good people take the hint and move somewhere they will be more appreciated. The bad people try to imitate the “great one” or toady up to them. The leader who doesn’t trust the team will not be trusted themselves. Again I am sure we can all agree that they too are poor project managers.

Then we come to the interesting project managers, those who are charismatic leaders and are known and loved by their people. Typically they lead from the front, are popular and can even have followers and fans, but they are not wise project managers. Take them away from their team and the team will stumble as they are reliant on the project manager and this is not the way.

The wise project manager is barely noticed. He does not intervene unless it is absolutely necessary and allows the team virtually to run itself. He facilitates with a light touch and delegates wisely. The team gets on with its work without fuss and bother. What more could a wise project managers wish for?

The Way
Greatness does not come to those who go looking for it, it comes out of humility. I know this for this is the way of the project manager.

The Tao
Lao Tsu tells us:

The very highest is barely known to men.
Then comes that which they know and love,
Then that which is feared,
Then that which is despised.

He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.
When actions are performed
Without unnecessary speech,
People say, “We did it!”