A Silver Bullet?

Without passion, boldness and focus, consistent success is elusive.

by Neal Whitten, PMP, Contributing Editor

We are always on the lookout for that silver bullet in project management. We upgrade to “better” planning and tracking software, continually improve documented processes, review lessons learned at the end of projects or phases of projects, routinely seek to improve our knowledge and skills through training and mentoring, and obtain PMI certification or the equivalent. All these things can help, but none can match the power in applying passion, boldness and focus to your duties. This is as close to a silver bullet as I know ... and is it close!
What’s so remarkable about these three attributes is that they are within reach of each of us. They come from within. It’s not about one’s educational level, gender, wealth, age, religion, ethnic origin or who you know. It’s about who and what you choose to be.
What do I mean by passion, boldness and focus?
By passion, I mean an intense inner drive or feeling that compels you to achieve a specific objective. It is a steadfast enthusiasm and eagerness you demonstrate in the pursuit of a cause. It is a spirited embracement of a mission. It is behaving as if you own the company and the company is defined by your domain of responsibility.
By boldness, I mean the act of responding to a situation in a manner that may be viewed as daring to some but is essential to effectively address the issue at hand. I do not mean being rude, reckless, insensitive or arrogant. None of these attributes are acceptable to any of us. I mean doing whatever is necessary to achieve the objective, providing it is legal and ethical. It’s about demonstrating integrity and doing the right thing.
By focus, I mean concentrating on a handful or less of the most important problems (also includes risks) that currently exist, even at the exclusion of most other problems. The most effective leaders always know their top three problems and focus most of their time each day on solving these problems.
All too often project managers maneuver in the shadows of their leaders waiting for--even expecting--these attributes to be exhibited. But most of us will be disappointed most of the time. It is not about the ability of those around you to lead. It is about your ability to lead, in spite of what is happening around you.
It’s a lonely job being a project manager--a leader, a teacher, rallying others when you may not be receiving from your superiors the care and feeding you consistently and continually provide others. You are a professional. It is your job. Get a backbone. Believe in something. Make things happen. It’s not about your intentions; it’s about your actions. Your project members expect it of you. Your higher-ups, clients and sponsors also expect it of you. Moreover, they all are within their rights to expect it of you.
Most problems that fester on a project can be linked directly to a project manager that does not consistently exhibit passion, boldness and focus. The most effective leaders are driven from within themselves: their inner signals, their conscience, their integrity. It takes courage and boldness to sometimes stand alone with our beliefs. But true leaders are no strangers to adversity or finding themselves alone with their convictions. We all have a great source of strength within ourselves.
On your project, all eyes are on your behavior and your ability to lead. You should run your project with the same passion, boldness and focus as if it were your own personal business. You just might be surprised at the great potential that lies within you and that wants to be unleashed.
Now go make a difference!

Neal Whitten, PMP, president of The Neal Whitten Group (www.nealwhittengroup.com), is a speaker, trainer, consultant, mentor, and author in project management and employee development. His books include The EnterPrize Organization: Organizing Software Projects for Accountability and Success and Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success.

This material is reprinted from PM Network magazine (June 2002) with permission of the Project Management Institute Headquarters, Four Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, PA 19073-2399 USA. Phone: (610) 356-4600. Fax: (610) 356-4647. Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading project management association with over 90,000 members worldwide. For further information, contact PMI Headquarters at (610) 356-4600 or visit the web site at www.pmi.org. "PMI" and "PM Network" are trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. © 2002 Project Management Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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