Should Project Managers Build Relationships

In Roeder Consulting’s Global Webinar today, Christine Zust, MA, discussed a new reality in the work place – a lot of work is being done through virtual teams.  Virtual teams, like any team-based environment, tend to work better when the participants have a positive relationship.  However, team-building exercises don’t always result in positive relationships.  Sometimes they have the opposite effect.  In the words of one of today’s participants:

“So much emphasis is put on getting team members together to build a relationship. That’s great in a perfect situation, but what about when personalities collide? Sometimes getting people to know each other better in a personal way is not conducive to work.”

So, team building works when positive relationships are formed.  But, it can backfire too.  What if you get everyone together and they don’t like each other?  We took this conversation to the 3500+ members of Roeder Consulting Linked In group.  Throughout the course of the day people have already started to weigh in:

• Christine Zust (the webinar presenter) says “To me, the only way we can truly get to know each other is through establishing and maintaining relationships. And yes, it’s hard work. We know, through experience, that not every relationship is going to be perfect…we may encounter people whose styles are very different from ours which can cause tension or uncertainty. The greatest lesson I have learned about building human relationships is acceptance. Once I accept that I cannot change anyone but myself, I open up my thinking to welcome those challenges when they occur. Even when I have a bad relationship with someone, it’s still a relationship. I have to try my best to make the most of it.

• Gregory says “It is a must! Especially in today’s transactional world where “friends”, “connections” and “followers” don’t mean a thing. It is all about the basic human nature. With personal relationship comes trust, reliance and desire to excel.”

Positive relationships are important to teams.  It’s also true that sometimes “personalities collide.”  What to do?  The answer is to do your team building exercise … but be careful!  Human interaction is something we all need.   After all, solitary confinement is a punishment.  But, when you bring everyone together be thoughtful about highlighting the areas of agreement. If you take any random two people out of the world you are likely to find issues they agree on, and others they disagree on.  Our role as team builders is to do our best to keep everyone focused on those areas where they agree.

If you’d like to see the latest comments on this discussion thread and/or offer your insights go to the Roeder Consulting Linked In Group:   http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Roeder-Consulting-1-Community-Project-2800285

 

Will This Project Be Different? Crystal Ball Not Required, Buy-In Is!

Have you ever had a sponsor or client excited about their project only to have them lose interest somewhere along the line?  Why do some projects keep momentum, while other “fail safe” projects scream out of the gate only to crash and burn? Project success or failure is rarely dictated by a credential, but rather by a project manager’s ability to generate and sustain buy-in from all stakeholders.  

Even project managers that recognize the importance of gaining initial support often fail to obtain buy-in on all levels or they are unable to maintain that enthusiastic commitment. For most, the cycle begins with excited project sponsors and well intentioned team members.   However, as the “new car smell” wears off and competing priorities increase, project performance dwindles.  A common pitfall is to view earning buy-in as a one- time event occurring at the beginning of a project.  While winning initial support is critical, maintaining buy-in is what drives true success!   Understanding the value of team relationships, managing group dynamics, and navigating project challenges are critical success factors. 

It is imperative to develop the “specialized” leadership skill of earning buy-in and winning support as it truly defines successful project managers.

Roeder Consulting’s “Online Buy In” course will take place on April 20th and 27th instructed by Amanda Duffey, PMP. For more information, check out: http://www.roederconsulting.com/BuyInOverview.php

*submitted by Amanda Duffey