What are the critical success factors in keeping individual contributors satisfied in a project?
Gary BradySenior Project Manager| West CorporationOmaha, Ne, United States
What processes do you follow to keep the people who work on your project tasks from developing a negative attitude during a project? Saving Changes...
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Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
GAry
Thanks for bringinng up this interesting topic. Most of the times I keep them involved, informed and interested. The triple I strategy works pretty well.
In other words communication is the trick:
- inform them at the level they would like to be informed and at the frequency we agree on
- Involve them in decision making thus ensuring they own the project
- Interest them by choosing the milestones and highlights of the project at the right pace
Meet the induvidual, set the expectations, explain the impact of developing negative attitude and give them a chance. If the story repeats i will redirect those people to HR. Saving Changes...
John ZurfluehProgram Manager| GetingePompton Plains, Nj, United States
As Hans notes it comes down to communication. Managing expectations as early as possible will go a long way as will keeping people informed and involved.
I would add the following:
Be a leader and set the example:
- be positive
- diffuse (instead of piling on) negative comments/ discussion about team members, stakeholders, the project itself or the host organization
- watch your body language (i.e. what you are communicating with gestures, etc.)
- "go to bat" for team members so that they can do their work w/o fear of various repercussions (I'm thinking about Mazlow's heirarchy of needs) and so they get the credit they deserve for their work- show them you care about them and their success
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Gary BradySenior Project Manager| West CorporationOmaha, Ne, United States
Excellent ideas everyone. I try them. Thanks! Saving Changes...
I fully agree with Hans. I would add that actually "talking" to people is important (ideally in person). At least if most of your team members are in the same building as you are I believe it makes sense to really stop by in person and ask everyone how they are doing.
Probably common sense, right? But I have met too many PMs that do project management via e-mail :-)
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