Get Off that Pedestal!

 

We’ve all been in a position of authority when we were leading a team. It’s easy to assume a sort of command and control posture, isn’t it?  “Good morning team - here are your tasks for the week.  Let me know when you have finished - and don’t forget about your weekly progress reports and timesheets. If you need me, I’ll be in my office.”  But this sort of command and control situation does very little for team building, trust, collaboration and self-management, one of the tenets of Agile.  Although it might be easier in the short term. Why is it easy? Well, you made the plan, and now you are going to work the plan, right?

You’ve all heard Dwight’s oft-misquoted maxim (of Eisenhower fame, not of Office fame), “The plan is nothing, planning is everything.”  What he actually said, according to BrainyQuotes.com was “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” Maybe that makes it a little clearer.  After all, would you look forward to going into battle with a Gantt Chart in your hip pocket? Or would you rather a fully engaged team at you back, ready to defend the agreed upon turf?  So, strangely enough, one of the most famous military commanders in history has provided us a clue insinuating he is not in favour of command and control (ironic isn’t it?), but rather is in favour of team collaboration.

People often will associate traditional project methods with command and control, and Agile methods with collaboration and teamwork, and I believe they are on to something.  Perhaps we can learn some valuable lessons from the sharp uptake of Agile methods, which emphasize self-managed teams, high visibility of the work to be done and the work accomplished, total client immersion, shared responsibility and support of each other to ensure project objectives are achieved.

So - the next time you slip into that easy command and control mode, that reliance on the plan mode and that “not really there method” of managing your project - give it a second thought.  Work with your team, be present, be visible, be helpful. Live your team’s pain and their successes. Keep your finger on the pulse, hour by hour, minute by minute, and climb down off that pedestal.  You don’t belong there - and neither does anyone else.