Trust: The Cornerstone of Successful Project Management

 

As an experienced project manager, Victor recently joined a new organization after a five-month break due to layoffs at his previous job. He was hired as a PMO Lead and was eager to make a positive impact on his new team. However, he quickly realized that the team seemed hesitant to trust him, due to his newness to the organization or the time it would take for him to fully engage with them.

Victor took various initiatives to engage with his team, scheduling regular cadence with them to get to know them better. However, he observed that the team was not seeking help when they needed it, and his peers were taking advantage of this situation. This lack of trust was affecting the progress of the team, the projects, and even the customers.

Victor felt conflicted because he wanted to help the team succeed in their projects, but he also wanted to earn their trust and inspire them as their leader. He did not want the team to be affected by negative energies resulting from the trust issues. However, he realized that he was not being honest with the responsibilities assigned to him by the management and was not justifying his role as PMO Lead.

According to the Project Management Institute's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, honesty is defined as understanding the truth and acting truthfully in communications and conduct. Victor realized that he was not being honest with himself or the organization, and this was causing him to feel like he was not fulfilling his responsibilities. He considered leaving the organization as he did not want to compromise on his integrity.

At the same time, Victor also realized that he may encounter similar situations in any new workplace, and his lack of confidence in himself may be due to the five-month break he had taken. He did not want to let his peers take advantage of this situation, and he wanted to find a solution that would align with his values and principles as a project manager.

After careful consideration, Victor decided to take the following steps:

1. Communicate openly and transparently with his team: Victor scheduled a team meeting where he shared his observations and concerns with the team. He emphasized his commitment to their success and his willingness to support them in any way possible. He encouraged open and honest communication within the team and set up regular feedback sessions to address any issues or challenges.
2. Build trust through actions: Victor understood that trust is earned over time through consistent actions. He made sure to follow through on his commitments, be transparent in his communication, and be approachable and supportive to his team. He also acknowledged and appreciated the contributions of his team members and recognized their efforts and achievements.
3. Seek feedback and improve: Victor understood that self-reflection and continuous improvement are essential to becoming a better leader. He sought feedback from his team, peers, and mentors, and actively addressed any gaps or areas for improvement. He also invested time in building his confidence and skills through professional development opportunities.
4. Stay true to his values and principles: Victor reminded himself of the importance of honesty, integrity, and professionalism as outlined in PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. He made a conscious effort to align his actions with these values and principles and hold himself accountable for his responsibilities as a PMO Lead.

As time passed, Victor noticed a positive change in his team's attitude towards him. They started seeking his guidance and support, and the team's progress improved. Victor regained his confidence as a project manager and felt that he was justifying his role in the organization. He realized that by being honest with himself and others, and upholding his professional values, he could overcome the initial trust issues and create a positive work environment.

"What are your thoughts on how project managers can balance the need to be honest about their challenges while still fulfilling their responsibilities and justifying their role within an organization?"