What is it about projects that seems to generate
opportunities to introduce stress into the lives of everyone involved and how
do some people find a way through without being impacted by the stress that is
visible in so many others? And, if it is true that “The way we do one thing is
the way we do everything” then how does that same stress show up in our lives?
Are projects stressful because they simply never go according to plan or do we
generate the stress because we want to “make it work” rather than embracing the
fact that it won’t turn out according to “the plan”.
Last week, I talked about change and some things that can be
done to deal with change in a project. It focused on planning for risk, being
ready for changes to occur and focused on what can be done. This week, I want
to talk about the physical, emotional, and mental way through the stressors of
project management. A way to BE while you are doing the necessary activities.
It isn’t about having all your risks written down or having the right processes
written out or even about having the right technology for managing the risks. While
those are important, they aren’t the answer, they are only a piece of the whole.
Before any of those tools can be used effectively, the individual using the
tools must BE an effective project manager and leader. The goal is the being,
not the doing or the having.
When a project gets into trouble, as many projects do, being
an effective project manager becomes the imperative. The stressors rise and tensions
increase. Fingers begin to point and issues become so much larger than they
were only a week ago. Leadership is asking “How did this happen” and the
stories get distorted and unclear. People outside of the project begin to point
out all the flaws of the project and the team members begin to be put on the
spot to explain. Resources are added to fix the problem and control is given to
those who haven’t been part of what has happened. Turmoil can ensue. When those
things happen, the tensions continue to rise and stress becomes more of a norm
than an exception.
Who do you get to be when this happens? What practices will
support the team members and all those who have been involved move through the
external disruption, turmoil, and added rigor? There are five primary practices
that will make a difference during any project disruption. They are to approach
the turmoil as an opportunity for learning and growth. Our
failures teach us quickly, our successes show us only what we can do today.
Continue to say what you do and do what you say from a place of ownership.
Our word is important, being truthful and honest with ourselves and everyone
around us will help us move through the turmoil. Be curious and listen
from a place of wanting to understand others perceptions. We cannot
always see what is right in front of us, outsiders see things we can be blind
to and their eyes are invaluable. Create a clear line of site
rather than assumptions and taking things personally. When we are making
assumptions or making it about us our intuition is clouded and we cannot see as
clearly as we would simply looking at the facts. Use attention,
appreciation and acceptance to stay present to what is happening,
grateful for the support and allow the circumstance to be as it is rather than
as we would rather it be.
As plans are being created to “right the ship”, “dig the
project out of a hole”, or “align the project” the teams will look to
leadership for the ways of being that will support getting the project back on
track. Having a great plan won’t matter if the team isn’t aligned and the team won’t
be aligned if they don’t see that there is a way through. The way through is in
how each team member is treated and how leadership is seen as they pull together
to create a different possibility for the project. Leading through opportunity,
integrity, curiosity, accuracy, and the three As of attention, appreciation and
acceptance will make a difference for the team. So when a project goes red or goes
off the rails or is tanking or whatever language you choose, there is a way
through. Hold on, it will not be a smooth ride, but when was learning through
failure ever a smooth ride?
