Project Management Done For Us Not To Us
Many professionals can cite project management on their resume or curriculum vitae. It is often what people do, work together for a common goal. What are your experiences with project management?
Some people want off the committee, they grow tired of the project, the team, the conflict, debates, arguments, and turmoil. It may feel like little is being accomplished and no one knows the goal.
The truth is that project management can be done to us, or for us. How are you managing or leading projects?
To Us or For Us?
When the project is done to us it feels forced. The project is rooted in demand and command, not opportunity. This sometimes works. It is a push style. The authoritarian approach. Today, many would label this old school.
There is a different approach. It is a pull style. It is what draws people in, what inspires them, motivates them, and makes the project a delight.
The project feels like it is for us. The project is an inspiration. Engaged contributors want to start early, work long, and stay late.
Meetings are short and focused, people can’t stand to be away from the work at hand. Not because they hate the meeting, but because they can’t wait to get started.
Vision is shared, contributors are happy, the talk is of success and accomplishment.
Project Management
Does project management appear on your resume? What is your approach to projects?
Considering there are five generations active in our workforce today leading projects can be complex. Getting people on board, bought in, and motivated is critical.
Our highest job satisfaction often develops from respect. Pushed people don’t feel respected. Push implies forced. Push implies done to us, not for us.
Pull on the other hand can be a delight. It feels like it is there for us.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
