Is there a leader for your project?
I do not hope so.
Recently, Inside pmStudent eLearning discussed being a PM on a technical task when you are an expert. I clearly remember a time when I was promoted to project manager from technical lead. It was a difficult transition. It was unconscious and people were coming to see me exactly as they had in the past.
One day I came to my senses.
“Underestimated form leadership”
Many people make a project work. The role of project manager is primarily one of facilitator, communicator, or obstacle-remover. What about the other crucial roles in a project?
Many project managers underestimate the abilities of others to lead and/or assume it is their responsibility to lead.
This is absurd. Business analysts, technical leads, and many other key individuals can and should also be leaders in a project. The best project environments I have worked in were those that had an “feel” of equality among their members. It was not a matter hierarchy. Ideas and empowerment came from all parts of the team.
Don’t underestimate your team members and their ability to work with you as a project manager.
Public movement is required
Everyone knew that the relationship between project leaders was one of mutual respect, equality and cooperation. It wasn’t hidden, and communication was not channeled through project managers because they were addicted to micro-management.
Everyone on the team was impressed by the trust and cooperation between the technical lead (business analyst) and the project manager. They felt confident taking on more responsibility.
“It’s clearly all about the movement, and not you.”
This team is about the project being completed, not about the individuals involved. It doesn’t really matter who the “leader” of the project might be. This question is no longer relevant. “Leadership has been glorified.”
Once you have identified the core group of leaders, it is almost impossible to stop them from following your lead. Once a core group of leaders has built momentum towards the goal, and everyone follows them, it becomes almost self-sustaining.
This is what you should be seeing. (3 minutes)
