Beware escalation. Involving more people can make problems even more difficult to resolve
From the An Influential Project Manager Blog
by Colin Gautrey
Today, more than ever, a project manager needs to be an influencer.
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When you fail to reach agreement with someone, there is always a temptation to call on the help of others on your side who are more powerful. This temptation is present if you are working across the divide of a strategic alliance, supplier contract or simply an internal disagreement. The most tempting situation is telling tales on people in the playground.
Regardless, they are all forms of escalation in order to achieve a desired level of influence. What escalation does is enlist the assistance of more powerful people. This may be necessary because of technical considerations or protocol and process.
However, it will always alter the dynamics of the problem in hand.
- Powerful people tend to take control of situations, or at least try to.
- Once escalated, it is likely to be outside of your control.
- Powerful people tend to need to feel they have exercised their power.
- The other side will reciprocate, and the ante will be raised.
By all means, get input and support from others on your side, but always endeavour to remedy problems directly.
Posted on: January 31, 2017 11:59 PM |
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Comments (3)
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Very good blog !Why do you fail to reach an agreement?Because you have not done your homework properly and completely.You somehow lack the competency to make other party agree on the basic assumption,terms and conditions,gains/losses ,liabilities,risks & remedies etc.It may also happen that the other party is unable understand and digest the pros and cons of entering into the agreement.Under such a scenario ,any external help is not likely to bear desired fruit.It is a matter of both the parties able to influence each other and when this happens ,you don't need external help.
i have played this game and witness this game for long, and i kind of believe people start this game to make themselves safe . When something does not work... rather than making it work many find easy to bring more players in the game and be safe. For many being safe is more important than results.
Colin Gautrey
Author, Executive Coach and Trainer| The Gautrey Group
United Kingdom
Yes, I agree @Saket, often seen as a safety net, yet most times ends up with more problems than it solves - or at least, a different kind of problem!
@Chandrashekhar, definitely the homework needs to be done! Sometimes I think the competency is there, but the effort (or time) is not.
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