Project management in one sense can be a pretty dry field. While it can be exciting professionally and emotionally, it also can be relatively mechanical in many ways and to many people. However, as I think about it, most things are actually that way. Most things can get to be ho-hum and humdrum. The difference I find is when we decide to do things with style. We add some class to our actions and become a different kind of project manager. Let me give you my thoughts.
One thing people starve for is recognition. I find that there usually is one person in the group that, for some reason, is extra, extra hungry for recognition and acknowledgment. Oftentimes, this person can be disruptive and forward on one hand and reclusive and private on the other hand. Sometimes someone like this can even be called egotistical or ego-driven. Often they are not team players. I always find, including a situation right now, that a little recognition in front of everyone is a classy thing to do for that person and for the team. It’s all in how you do it, but you must genuinely believe that this person deserves some recognition for something; that everyone else deserves to benefit from this person being drawn into the team and you’re committed to making it happen if it is meant to happen.
Another situation that you can execute in style is in working with your boss. Probably the best and classiest thing that you can possibly do to your boss is to treat him or her not only respectfully, but also like a colleague. The big difference is that when you treat your boss like a colleague you develop a different relationship. You establish a higher level of trust. You can potentially become a confidante. You become a reliable "righthand man" and they become a trusted colleague for you, because, chances are, they will not only rely on you for your input, but will probably pass more information in trust onto you that will elevate your position. Whether you are subordinate or consultant, try thinking of your manager as a colleague, as this adds a great deal of style to your day to day work.
A final thing to do is to think of a stakeholder. Concentrate on what that stakeholder’s concerns are and what their true value is for your project; then, recognize it publicly. Recognize it among your team members and even among other stakeholders. Demonstrate a true acknowledgment for this person’s concerns and for their intended benefit for the project. This is a first-class and stylish way to build stakeholder trust and to rally everyone around a strong sense of common purpose.
The best thing about doing things in style on your project is that it costs absolutely nothing. It may take a little bit of effort, but when you do it you actually get much more in terms of energy, cooperation, and good feeling than you ever had to put into it. In these tough times, we can’t get enough of style. In tough times, do things with style and class and you will receive dividends many times over.
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John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online
Lean Six Sigma Training Online
1 response so far ↓
1 Trevor Roberts // Feb 10, 2009 at 9:12 am
Hi John,
You talk about providing recognition for team members. This certainly can help with some disruptive members. However, there are other possibilities…
To me, part of managing your projects with style is making sure you are delivering value. We need to make sure our definition of delivering value is the same as that used by the project team, and the business!
The best way to do this is by listening to your team, by communicating and taking on board what lessons they have to teach you. I’ve talked about this in more depth on my blog recently, especially in No-one Likes Project Managers, which you might like.
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