Friday, June 13, 2014

66: Supportive Leadership

It's Friday and the sun is shining in the South West (and has been since I opened the swimming pool for the early morning Nutters Club at 05:30) so after work The Bridge Inn will be calling loud and clear.  Meantime I have work to do plus a visit to the dentist this morning and the physiotherapist this afternoon.  Must try to stay positive and think of The Bridge!

The Project
Still no news from the publishers on Project Program and Portfolio Management, so I assume (with my fingers crossed) that it is going well.  Meanwhile the next book Sourdough Bread Made Easy (makes a nice change from Project Management) is well on its way, I just need to take a few more pictures to illustrate some steps and variations.  But I digress as none of this has anything to do with leadership.  

What we call leadership consists mainly of knowing how to follow.  But poor project managers will try to promote their own agenda and drag or push the team in the direction they wish it to go in.  

The Way  
The wise project manager stays in the background and facilitates the work of the team.  The great things they do go largely unnoticed.  Because they do not push or manipulate the team, there is no resentment or resistance from the team.  Because they are open, any issue can be raised.  Because they have no position to defend and show no favouritism, no one feels threatened. 

Wishing to guide the people,  
You must speak to them humbly.  
Wishing to lead the people,  
You must follow behind.  

Thus when the sage rules,  
He is not a burden to the people;  
When he stands before them,  
He does not harm them.  

The whole world will support him,  
And will not weary of him.  
Because he does not compete,  
He does not meet competition.  

No comments: