PMO Tips: Sometimes you have to prove yourself

As a project manager, sometimes, in fact often, you have to prove yourself. If you wait for opportunity to knock, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t. And, when you go out to seek opportunity, you can bet your last dollar that at every turn there is someone there getting in your way, someone else there doubting you, and yet someone else there denying you.

Take the case of the old, scrawny man who went to a lumberjack camp in search of a job. As he entered the camp looking for the camp boss, all of the young, strong lumberjacks made fun of him and joked amongst themselves and asked if he was lost. Hearing the commotion, the camp boss came out to see what was going on. After a brief introduction, the scrawny old man got right to the point and asked the camp boss for a job. He wanted to cut down trees just like the other lumberjacks. The camp boss was polite and respectful and tried his best to dissuade the old man from the idea. Undeterred, the old man told the camp boss that if he could just spare five minutes, he would demonstrate his abilities and prove his prowess as the best lumberjack in the world. By now, all those standing by were more than amused and wanted to see the show.

After a bit of reflection, the camp boss agreed and they went out to the forest to find a suitable tree to chop down. Spotting the largest tree in sight, the old man began to chop away and in no time he had brought down that tree to the disbelief of all those watching. The camp boss couldn’t believe his eyes. He told the old man that he had never, ever, seen a tree cut down with such power and precise technique. He also asked the old man where he learned how to fell trees like that. The old man paused and asked the boss if he had ever heard of the Sahara Forest. With a confused look, the camp boss said, “Don’t you mean the Sahara Desert?” With a wry smile, the old man replied, “Sure, that’s what they call it now!” After the laughter had ended, the camp boss announced to the old man and to all within earshot, “Old man, you’re hired!”

As project manager, sometimes you have to make believers out of the skeptics to get what you want. Always be prepared, willing, and up to the challenge to prove yourself.