Poor project managers like to go in for fancy theories, which can end up distracting the team and sapping their energy. When rules and regulations are applied to the team it can breed dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, where there are no fancy theories or prejudices to distract the team, there will be harmony. Where the work of the team is grounded in an obvious and natural righteousness, there will be no need for rules and regulations.
The Way
The way cannot be defined, it just is. It is the single principle responsible for every event or thing. The wise project manager returns to an awareness of what is happening and the single principle that lies behind it. From this the wise project manager will learn how things happen and as a consequence the team will trust him.
The Tao is eternally nameless.
Its simplicity, although imperceptible, cannot be grasped.
If kings could grasp it,
The ten thousand things would follow them.
Heaven and earth cause sweet dew to fall,
Not just on the worthy but on all alike.
Men will not need to force it,
All things would take their course.
“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, August 30, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
31: Intervention
Some years ago on a sailing holiday my wife told me that no woman like’s asking a man how to do something as the result will be like “having the tiller snatched out of your hand”. This seems to be as true of project management as of sailing.
When a poor project manager interferes in the work of the team, the team members will feel their work is not valued. The team will be weakened and the team members will become less open, more defensive and resentful.
The Way
The wise project manager does not interfere. He knows that a special awareness is called for if intervention does become necessary. Delicate facilitation is the way of the project manager.
Weapons are tools of misfortune,
They are not the wise man’s tools.
He uses them only when necessary,
With calm and detachment.
Victorious but without glory.
Those who glorify,
Are delighted in the killing.
Those who delight in killing,
Cannot achieve their ambitions in the world.
We say that war is conducted like a funeral.
Those who have been killed,
Should be mourned in sorrow.
Victory in war is a time for mourning.
“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.
When a poor project manager interferes in the work of the team, the team members will feel their work is not valued. The team will be weakened and the team members will become less open, more defensive and resentful.
The Way
The wise project manager does not interfere. He knows that a special awareness is called for if intervention does become necessary. Delicate facilitation is the way of the project manager.
Weapons are tools of misfortune,
They are not the wise man’s tools.
He uses them only when necessary,
With calm and detachment.
Victorious but without glory.
Those who glorify,
Are delighted in the killing.
Those who delight in killing,
Cannot achieve their ambitions in the world.
We say that war is conducted like a funeral.
Those who have been killed,
Should be mourned in sorrow.
Victory in war is a time for mourning.
“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, August 16, 2013
30: Using Force
Some project managers just have to interfere in their team members’ work. It might be due to insecurity or a lack of trust in their team members. The result is that the team members will start to react against it. If the project manager then tries to use force, conflicts and arguments will follow and the project team will begin to disintegrate.
The Way
The wise project manager understands the way, does not interfere and uses as little force as possible. He guides the team without pressurising people and without fighting to have things done his way. He has a light touch and neither defends nor attacks. By leading selflessly and harmoniously he will grow and endure.
Achieve results, not the victor’s laurels.
Achieve results, but not through aggression.
Achieve results and not arrogance.
Achieve results, but not through acquisition.
Achieve results, but not through violence.
Force is followed by loss of strength.
This is not the way of the Tao.
That which goes against the Tao soon ends.
“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
The wise project manager understands the way, does not interfere and uses as little force as possible. He guides the team without pressurising people and without fighting to have things done his way. He has a light touch and neither defends nor attacks. By leading selflessly and harmoniously he will grow and endure.
Achieve results, not the victor’s laurels.
Achieve results, but not through aggression.
Achieve results and not arrogance.
Achieve results, but not through acquisition.
Achieve results, but not through violence.
Force is followed by loss of strength.
This is not the way of the Tao.
That which goes against the Tao soon ends.
“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.
Monday, August 12, 2013
29: The Paradox of Trying
If the project manager tries to use too much pressure or force to get things done it is sure to backfire on him. By constantly intervening and interfering with the work of the team any team spirit will soon be destroyed and the quality of the work will go with it.
The poor project manager tries to control the team rather than nurturing and encouraging them. By trying too hard and pushing the team they are blocking progress rather than encouraging it.
The Way
The wise project manager stays centered and grounded and encourages the team to function well by assisting them and dealing with any issues they may have. He is there to support the team and encourage them, not to interfere.
He who would take over the world and change it,
Will not succeed.
He who would try to change it, will suffer defeat.
He who would try to seize it, will fail.
Some creatures act, some follow.
Some are strong, some are sick.
Some bully, some destroy.
Therefore the sage dismisses,
The excessive and the extravagant.
“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 poor project manager tries to control the team rather than nurturing and encouraging them. By trying too hard and pushing the team they are blocking progress rather than encouraging it.
The Way
The wise project manager stays centered and grounded and encourages the team to function well by assisting them and dealing with any issues they may have. He is there to support the team and encourage them, not to interfere.
He who would take over the world and change it,
Will not succeed.
He who would try to change it, will suffer defeat.
He who would try to seize it, will fail.
Some creatures act, some follow.
Some are strong, some are sick.
Some bully, some destroy.
Therefore the sage dismisses,
The excessive and the extravagant.
“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, August 02, 2013
28: Protect the Feminine
During the middle to late stages of a project there are often battles to be fought and problems to be resolved and team members to be encouraged.
The wise project manager needs to act as both a warrior and as a healer. As a warrior, showing power and decision, he displays the Yang or masculine aspect of leadership. But most of the time the project manager acts as a healer in an open, receptive and nourishing way. Providing assistance and encouragement to the team members is the feminine or Yin aspect of leadership. This mixture of doing and being can be very productive.
The Way
The third aspect of leadership is the way. From time to time the project manager needs to withdraw from the team and return to silence. Be there, do it and then withdraw to replenish the spirit. Knowing when to act, when to listen and when to withdraw is the way of the project manager.
Know the strength of man,
But protect the feminine.
Be as a mountain stream to the world.
As a mountain stream in the world,
The eternal virtue abides.
Return to the state of the uncarved block.
When the block is carved, it becomes useful.
This for the sage is the example of adulthood.
A great tailor cuts little,
And does not destroy.
“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 wise project manager needs to act as both a warrior and as a healer. As a warrior, showing power and decision, he displays the Yang or masculine aspect of leadership. But most of the time the project manager acts as a healer in an open, receptive and nourishing way. Providing assistance and encouragement to the team members is the feminine or Yin aspect of leadership. This mixture of doing and being can be very productive.
The Way
The third aspect of leadership is the way. From time to time the project manager needs to withdraw from the team and return to silence. Be there, do it and then withdraw to replenish the spirit. Knowing when to act, when to listen and when to withdraw is the way of the project manager.
Know the strength of man,
But protect the feminine.
Be as a mountain stream to the world.
As a mountain stream in the world,
The eternal virtue abides.
Return to the state of the uncarved block.
When the block is carved, it becomes useful.
This for the sage is the example of adulthood.
A great tailor cuts little,
And does not destroy.
“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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