Friday, March 29, 2013

11. Inner Space


When the members of a project team work together on a project there is a concept of an inner space created by the team.  This defines how they work together and even the mood of the team.  It is the context for everything which happens within the team.  

The Way  
Poor project managers worry about what the team are doing and what is happening outside it.  The wise project manager knows that it is what is happening inside the team that is important, therefore he pays attention to the silences.  

Shape clay into a pot,  
It is the space within that makes it useful.  
Therefore advantage come from what exists,  
Usefulness comes from what is not there.  

“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.

Friday, March 22, 2013

10: Leadership


Still waiting for Microsoft to issue a pre-release of Project Standard 2013 so I can confirm the differences between it and Project Professional. As soon as I’ve done that “Project 2013 in easy steps” will be ready to go to press.

The Way  
Poor project managers try to dominate the team in order to force them to do their will.  Good project managers lead their team without dominating and more importantly without trying to take the credit for the work of the team.    

The wise project manager encourages the team and is supportive, without taking credit for the team’s achievements, for this is the way of the project manager. 

Can you love all men and lead them,  
Without cleverness?  
Understanding all things,  
Can you be without motive?  
Acting yet not taking credit,  
Leading yet not trying to dominate,  
This is the Primal Virtue.  

“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.

Friday, March 15, 2013

09: A Good Team

Over the years I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with some really good project teams. 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.  

The Way  
The wise project manager settles for good work and lets the team have the floor.  He does not try and take the credit for what happens, he lets the team take the credit as they have done the work.  

Care about other peoples’ approval,  
And you will be their prisoner.  
Retire when the work is done.  
This is the way to serenity.  

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

Friday, March 08, 2013

08: Go With the Flow


Pushy project managers are not good project managers. Good project managers are relaxed and go with the flow, for that way the team will be positive and motivated.  Be fair and honest with the team and they will respect it.  

The Way  
The wise project manager is like water.  It is yielding and flows naturally.  The wise project manager does not push, so the team does not resent or resist, for this is the way of the project manager.  

Dwelling close to the land.  
Thinking with great depth.  
Giving with fairness and compassion.  
Speaking with integrity.  
Governing without trying to control.  
Working with competence.  
Moving with good timing.  
Not competing,  
So not finding fault.  

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

Friday, March 01, 2013

07: Selflessness


Australia now seems like a distant memory back in the gloom of a wintry England, but the sun is almost breaking through the clouds and it will soon be spring! On the project front “Project 2013 in easy steps” is ready, I am just waiting for Microsoft to release Project 2013 Standard so I can check my assumptions about the differences between it and Project 2013 Professional.

The Way
A selfish project manager will alienate the project team, or worse still, the team will think that is the correct way to behave and start to develop similar characteristics.  The wise project manager shows enlightened leadership through service.  He puts the well-being of the team above that of himself, for this is the way of the project manager. 

The sage stays behind,  
And proceeds.  
Is detached from all things,  
And continues.  
By not having a personal agenda,  
He is able to accomplish great things.  

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