Why I disagree with this great keynote
From the PMI Global Insights Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
James Turchick
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Date
Isabel Aguilera delivered a great opening keynote session on Monday. And I completely disagree with her message.
Why she is a great keynote
I think that chosing Mrs Aguilera as a keynote speaker was an appropriate choice. She is really engaging as she talks to her public. Her message is clear and simple. She does not make a thesis. What she says looks obvious at first glance. And, last but not least, as Ricardo Triana (past Chair of PMI) could say, she has this light inviting accent. Our friend Laura Samsó wrote "her words are like water". I would say yes: "sparkling water".
Her message
The message of Isabel Aguilera is very simple: "Becoming a leader is not easy, but you have no choice. So put yourself at work." The idea is not new, which is not a problem itself. I even think that this idea has led the world for the last 200 years or more. Mrs Aguilera started her presentation by crossing out a quote of Charles Darwin (The Origin of Species) "It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Why? Because, according to her, if you are only responsive to change, it is not enough. Clear!
Why I disagree
Since not everyone can be a sustainable leader (except in a shared leadership model, which was not her meaning), I asked her the question: "Is there room for everyone in your world?" She answered that it is easier for some than for others.
I think our priority should be to reduce the violence. This means better live together and finding room for all. Violence is not the agression. The agression is always the other. Agression is only the conclusion of a process that has started earlier. Violence is not the agression, violence is rivalry.
I thought the message of Mrs Aguilera was violent in that way. And I believe that instead of spreading violence, we should worry about containing violence and develop cooperation.
Project managers are good at putting people around the table toward a common goal. This is a good start to limit violence.
Posted
by
Yves Cavarec
on: May 10, 2016 08:44 AM |
Permalink
Comments (3)
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Kristin Jones
Social Media Specialist III| PMI
Newtown Square, Pa, United States
Followers are a key element in leadership. Remember, in order to be a leader, you need followers.
Yves, very good observation, I agree.
She is coming from the business world, which is a jungle where everyone tries to climb the ladder (tagged career), kicks off peers and appeases the ones above you. There is leadership for sure but it is not leadership promoted (by PMI, can I say by us?) in the PM context, which depends on bringing talents together and make everyone happy (stakeholder engagement). And hence it is based on social values, ethics. PMs have to learn to deal with that other leadership style, if they grow into becoming program and portfolio managers. Some change sides.
Violence is induced by power, and business leadership is based on power (to fire, humiliate, mob).
More even political and religious leadership is based on power ('I know what God meant'). The way to reduce violence is by channeling and balancing power, e.g. thru democracy or 4 eyes principles, compliance.
And, to educate people better and induce social values, ethical behavior.
BTW I exclude the current Pope and Dalai Lama from exercising their powers resulting in violence, their life is explicitly determined by social values.
Linda Miller
Project Management
Huntington, Ny, United States
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