49: Being Open

The wise project manager expects the best of people and they live up to it. People naturally tend to be good and truthful when they are being received in a good and truthful manner. 

The Tao

Lao Tzu tells us:

The sage has no mind of his own.

He is aware of the needs of others.

I am good to people who are good.

I am also good to people who are not good.

Because virtue is a goodness.

I have faith in people who are faithful.

I also have faith in people who are not faithful.

Because virtue is a faithfulness.

The sage is shy and humble; to the world he seems confusing.

Men look to him and listen.

He behaves like a little child.

48: Unclutter Your Mind

The wise project manager unclutters his mind and simplifies his work. By giving up trying to do the right thing, the project manager and the team will become far more fruitful.

The Tao

Lao Tzu tells us:

In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.

In the pursuit of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less is done

Until non-action is achieved.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

The world is ruled by letting things take their course.

It cannot be ruled by interfering.

47: Right Here, Right Now

The wise project manager is aware of what is happening on the project in the here and now. By staying in the present and being aware of what is happening, the wise project manager can do less yet still achieve more.

The Tao
Lao Tsu tells us:

Without going outside, you may know the whole world.
Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven.
The further you go, the less you know.

Thus the sage knows without travelling;
He sees without looking;
He works without doing.

46: No Win/No Lose

There should be no personal wins and no personal losses in project team work. The wise project manager knows that the only thing that matters is the team. If the project manager nurtures the team they will be successful.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

When the Tao is in the universe,

The horses haul manure.

When the Tao is absent from the universe,

War horses are bred outside the city.

There is no greater sin than desire,

No greater curse than discontent,

No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself.

Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

45: Appearing Foolish

When the wise project manager speaks it is often to say something obvious and it can sound simple. The project manager’s stillness may even appear to be foolishness, but it overcomes the team’s agitation. The project manager’s consciousness is what gets things done.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

Great accomplishment seems imperfect,

Yet it does not outlive its usefulness.

Great fullness seems empty,

Yet it cannot be exhausted.

Great straightness seems twisted.

Great intelligence seems stupid.

Great eloquence seems awkward.

Movement overcomes cold.

Stillness overcomes heat.

Stillness and tranquillity set things in order in the universe.