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.

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