In the PM Cockpit

  Change Management   Leadership   ProjectsAtWork  

Both pilots and project managers are constantly addressing risk, change and uncertainty, filtering a steady stream of data to make decisions that have immediate and lasting consequences. Here are five behaviors, present to some degree in all of us, that left unchecked can make for a turbulent project flight, rocky landing or worse.

As an instrument-rated pilot, I draw many parallels between aviation-related themes and “The Chains of Change” on projects. Most successful pilots are highly goal and mission oriented. While this seems to be a requirement, it also has pitfalls. Some of these pitfalls have been at the root of serious aviation accidents and incidents. They can also be the culprit project failures, paticularly change initiatives.

There are five notable behaviors that pilots — and project managers — are susceptible to, that left unchecked can have serious consequences. These behaviors, to some degree or anotiher, are present amongst all of us.

Behavior #1: Anti-Authority (Don’t Tell Me)

This behavior actually takes on many different forms, but is mostly manifested in the ‘know it all.’ For a pilot (and his passengers) this can be deadly. Consider the pilot that ignores and/or argues with air traffic control, ignores weather forecasts in the mistaken belief that they know better or even ignores indications that the…

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