58: Facilitation

I'm currently working on revisions to the second draft of "The Way of the Project Manager" and will then be self-publishing it on Amazon. It's quite interesting going back over all the old topics again and trying to make sure they build on one another and aren't too repetitive. This topic is all about control.

The wise project manager learns to trust what is happening in the project team. He facilitates the unfolding team process. He knows how to have a profound influence without making things happen, for this is the way of the project manager.

Lao Tzu tells us:

When the country is ruled with a light hand,

The people are simple.

When the country is ruled with severity,

The people are cunning.

Happiness is rooted in misery.

Misery lurks beneath happiness.

Who knows what the future holds?

There is no honesty.

Honesty becomes dishonest.

Goodness becomes witchcraft.

Man’s bewitchment lasts for a long time.

Therefore the sage is sharp but not cutting,

Pointed but not piercing,

Straightforward but not unrestrained,

Brilliant but not blinding.