Driving Diversity of Perspective
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
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Voices on Project Management offers insights, tips, advice and personal stories from project managers in different regions and industries. The goal is to get you thinking, and spark a discussion. So, if you read something that you agree with--or even disagree with--leave a comment.
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Date
by Dave Wakeman
It’s easy to assume that the people we work with have the same viewpoint as we do about the projects we’re working on and the jobs we’re doing.
That’s often not the case. In every instance, people are going to see the project differently than we do. And that’s not a bad thing.
This diversity of perspective can have a positive impact on our projects in several ways:
It can lead to new solutions.
In your projects, you might know the big picture, but your team doesn’t always know it. That’s great because they can give you a different perspective about what is going on inside a project and some ideas for solutions.
You can encourage them to bring these ideas to you by wandering around. According to business guru Tom Peters, leaders should work to create opportunities for conversations that are spontaneous and often insightful.
It can give rise to new experts.
The old days of command-and-control project management is over—dead and buried.
In today’s world, it is unlikely that you are going to be an expert in most areas of your project. This provides a tremendous opportunity because you can actually use your lack of expertise to encourage other people to share theirs.
Often team members don’t get to communicate their expertise because the communications systems that we have put in place don’t allow specific expertise to bubble up.
To make the most of the diversity of expertise on your project, spend some time consciously asking people for their opinions about the project, their tasks, milestones and things they have learned.
This can be during meetings or outside of any formal setting or process, but the key is to encourage as much sharing and communication as you can.
It can free project leaders from having to have all the answers.
The problem with leadership roles is that we often feel compelled to have an answer, even the answer.
The problem is that no one has all of the answers. The other problem is that all too often our egos get in the way and we feel like we have to give all the answers or give the final decision no matter what.
This can hold us back. To maximize the impact of the diversity of your teams, you have to recognize that you don’t need to be the know-it-all. You just have to be willing and able to understand various points of view, ideas and explanations. Then you must be able to take action and get people onboard.
So, how are you taking advantage of a diversity of perspective?
BTW, if you like this blog, I do a weekly newsletter focused on value, leadership, strategy and more. I'm happy to send it to you, just drop me a note at [email protected] with newsletter in the subject line.
Posted
by
David Wakeman
on: August 23, 2018 01:47 PM |
Permalink
Comments (13)
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Vincent Guerard
Coach - Trainer - Speaker - Advisor| Freelance
Mont-Royal, Quebec, Canada
Using diversity and different perspective make projects solution much better
Nice post
Very thoughtful Dave, thanks.
Drew Craig
Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard
Philadelphia, Pa, United States
The realization that a leader does not, nor should, have all the answers is the beginning toward being a great leader.
Al Taylor
I.T. Contractor| Independent
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Interesting post and thoughts Dave,
Sam Motes
Manager II Business Sys, Operational Excellence| BA Systems Inc.
Ellenton, Fl, United States
Great post Dave. Thanks for sharing.
Tamer Zeyad Sadiq
Assistant Cost Manager| Turner & Townsend
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
It is true that nowadays project leader/manager doesn't have all the answers and they welcome ideas/suggestions from team.
However, it is my personal experience that few top management people still expect every answer from a manager. Do you agree? How can this perspective be changed?
RAJESH K L
Project Manager, PMP| Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru, India
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Excellent!. The need is to promote these facts. Project firms could surely become a lot better place realizing it.
Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear David
Interesting is your perspective on the topic: "Driving Diversity of Perspective"
Thanks for sharing
3 good tips on driving diversity:
"- It can lead to new solutions
- It can give rise to new experts
- It can free project leaders from having to have all the answers "
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