The poor project manager tries to impress his team and project stakeholders by talking about what he is doing and how well he is doing it, but it carries little weight. Being dramatic or egocentric neither does any good nor looks good.
The Way
When we follow the Way, we will be rewarded and the right things will happen. So the wise project manager trusts his team and in turn the team trust him. Reflect and be still, for this is the way of the project manager.
He whose concern is Tao,
His path is Tao oriented.
He who is virtuous,
Experiences virtue.
He whose concern is error,
Loses the way.
When you are at one with the Tao,
The Tao welcomes you.
When you are at one with virtue,
Virtue welcomes you.
When you are at one with error,
Error welcomes you.
He who does not trust enough
Will not be trusted.
“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, June 28, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
22: The Paradox of Letting Go
Last week was an absolute panic, but I finally got through the (hopefully) final corrections to the book and “Project 2013 in easy steps” should soon be on the bookshelves. By contrast this week has been strangely quiet. I’ve started researching the next proposed title: “Project, Program and Portfolio Management” although I’m not sure about the comma yet. It’s a big subject and to date there isn’t anything competitive but it’s never going to be a big seller.
The Way
I previously mentioned one of my ski coaches telling me to try softer not harder and how it worked. It seems the same with project management, when we try too hard we seem to achieve nothing. Yet when we stop trying, things fall into place all by themselves.
The poor project manager tries to impress the team and his superiors, but they will see right through him. The wise project manager adopts the Yin or feminine approach. By giving up trying and going with the flow they can overcome obstacles and achieve the objectives. An empty space allows itself to be filled.
Yield and overcome,
Bend and be straight,
Empty and be full,
Wear out and be renewed,
Have little and gain,
Have much and be confused.
Therefore the sage embraces the Tao,
And is an example in the world.
This blog is based on “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.
The Way
I previously mentioned one of my ski coaches telling me to try softer not harder and how it worked. It seems the same with project management, when we try too hard we seem to achieve nothing. Yet when we stop trying, things fall into place all by themselves.
The poor project manager tries to impress the team and his superiors, but they will see right through him. The wise project manager adopts the Yin or feminine approach. By giving up trying and going with the flow they can overcome obstacles and achieve the objectives. An empty space allows itself to be filled.
Yield and overcome,
Bend and be straight,
Empty and be full,
Wear out and be renewed,
Have little and gain,
Have much and be confused.
Therefore the sage embraces the Tao,
And is an example in the world.
This blog is based on “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, June 14, 2013
21: The Nature of the Way
The Project
What a week! The publishers dropped the manuscript for Project 2013 in easy steps back to me with a whole bunch of inconsistent capitalization issues. They seem to have crept in over the last couple of releases and I had a few days to sort it all out. Chaos would be an understatement!
On another tack an old mate of mine, Sean Connolly, hit the three score and ten this week. He probably doesn't ever look at this blog so I can say it without fear of retribution. Trouble is in six months I catch up with him. Ah well back to the Way…
The Way
Poor project managers jump every time someone yells. The wise project manager calmly point out that to jump would impact on other activities and asks the jumpee to consider which other project activities they would like to be put aside to allow the jumper time to plan and execute the jump on their behalf.
If we accept that everything is connected in some way (even the people asking us to jump), then we are always potentially on the way. If we struggle and fight against what is happening then we will surely loose the way. If we accept, in silence, that things are the way they are, then we move forward along the way.
The greatest virtue is to follow only the Tao.
The Tao seems wild and obscure.
So obscure, so wild,
But within it there is form.
So obscure, so wild,
But within it there is matter.
So profound, so dark,
But within it there is essence.
This essence is very real,
And within it there is truth.
From the very beginning until now
Its name has never been forgotten.
“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.
What a week! The publishers dropped the manuscript for Project 2013 in easy steps back to me with a whole bunch of inconsistent capitalization issues. They seem to have crept in over the last couple of releases and I had a few days to sort it all out. Chaos would be an understatement!
On another tack an old mate of mine, Sean Connolly, hit the three score and ten this week. He probably doesn't ever look at this blog so I can say it without fear of retribution. Trouble is in six months I catch up with him. Ah well back to the Way…
The Way
Poor project managers jump every time someone yells. The wise project manager calmly point out that to jump would impact on other activities and asks the jumpee to consider which other project activities they would like to be put aside to allow the jumper time to plan and execute the jump on their behalf.
If we accept that everything is connected in some way (even the people asking us to jump), then we are always potentially on the way. If we struggle and fight against what is happening then we will surely loose the way. If we accept, in silence, that things are the way they are, then we move forward along the way.
The greatest virtue is to follow only the Tao.
The Tao seems wild and obscure.
So obscure, so wild,
But within it there is form.
So obscure, so wild,
But within it there is matter.
So profound, so dark,
But within it there is essence.
This essence is very real,
And within it there is truth.
From the very beginning until now
Its name has never been forgotten.
“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, June 07, 2013
20: Traditional Wisdom
When the going gets tough a poor project manager will often rely on theoretical models and processes, but these are only tools and templates. Traditional wisdom is based on common sense and experience.
The Way
When problems occur, the wise project manager responds to what is happening in the here and now. He is happy with little and serves others. The wise project manager does not make a fuss; he is quiet and reflective. The wise project manager prefers what is common and natural.
Give up learning, and put an end to your anxiety.
There is little difference between one and another.
Is there a difference between good and bad?
Must I fear what others fear?
Everyone else has a purpose,
But I am ignorant as a rustic.
I alone am different,
I am nourished by the great mother.
“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.
The Way
When problems occur, the wise project manager responds to what is happening in the here and now. He is happy with little and serves others. The wise project manager does not make a fuss; he is quiet and reflective. The wise project manager prefers what is common and natural.
Give up learning, and put an end to your anxiety.
There is little difference between one and another.
Is there a difference between good and bad?
Must I fear what others fear?
Everyone else has a purpose,
But I am ignorant as a rustic.
I alone am different,
I am nourished by the great mother.
“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.
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