Project Management and Vulnerability

Dear Kiron
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion.

When I created this theme for reflection I was referring to your perspective

How do you think the Project Manager is viewed by team members?
What about the other project stakeholders?
And for the management?

Yes, I was speaking specifically about vulnerability demonstrated by project managers, Luis.

My own practice is to share innocuous, personal errors of mine with the people around me. These are usually innocent and generate goodwill. I also make it a funny story which is always a good way to connect with colleagues. (I once told a group that K.I.S.S. stood for Keep It Simple, Stéphane. They all chuckled.)

Dear Luís,

The power of vulnerability.
I suggest you consult the study of an American named Brené Brown. She found in her studies that eliminating the characteristics that enhance vulnerability diminished her ability to build strong, close relationships. And by enhancing the opposite, people were able to establish strong and true connections (which also had strong feelings of belonging and self-worth), two characteristics were always present: vulnerability and courage, both closely correlated.

Vulnerability in this context means a willingness to expose oneself, to express oneself in an honest and honest manner, to do things without guarantee, to take risks. When people disarmed and risked taking off the armor that protected them, they were also open to experiences that brought purpose and meaning to their lives. For this group, the feeling of vulnerability was not comfortable, but not painful either. They simply believed that this feeling was necessary to strengthen their relationships.

The second characteristic was their courage. Not in a sense of bravery, but in telling your story, showing who you are with all your heart; the courage to be authentic in a compassionate way to yourself and to show your imperfections. To connect, you have to let the person you think you should be leaving to make room for who you really are. That is, if we cannot be authentic with compassion, we cannot truly connect with each other.

I imagine that a project manager could use this to inspire , promove trust, transparency, and conduct the project in a smooth way but this is just one of the perspectives there are others.

My two cents to the discussions

Alexandre Costa

Luis -

For your three groups of stakeholders, I'd suggest that while some individuals might see vulnerability as weakness, most would see it as a strength and if a PM is willing to express authentic vulnerability, they will gain more respect.

Kiron

Dear Stéphane
Thanks for sharing your opinion
And the sense of humor :-)

I learned a long time ago, Luis, not to take myself too seriously.

Dear Stéphane
Thanks for your comment

You made me smile now

And I remembered a leadership approach
"Art Of Possibility" by Benjamin Zander, Rosamund Stone Zander

And of course, the famous rule nº 6