26: Centered & Grounded

Being centered and grounded allows the project manager to work with erratic people and deal with critical situations without harm or fear.  The poor project manager is not stable and can easily be carried away by the intensity of leadership.  He can easily be distracted by what is happening around him.  He will make mistakes of judgment and loose his way.  

The Way  
The wise project manager is not subject to passing whims or sudden excitement.  He knows where he stands and what he stands for.  He is stable, has a sense of self and will not be knocked off balance.

Heavy is the root of the light,  
Still is the master of the agitated.  
Therefore the sage, travelling all day,  
Remains centered.  
Though there are beautiful things to be seen,  
He remains unattached and calm.  
Why should the master of ten thousand chariots,  
Act like a fool in public?  
Lightness is the way to lose one’s root.  
Impetuousness is to lose touch with who you are.  

“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.