Valerie Denney Associate Professor| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- WorldwideCleveland, Sc, United States
The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct identifies 4 values including responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty. I don’t know about everyone else, but fairness seems to be particularly challenging since the start of COVID-19. The PMI says “fairness is our duty to make decisions and act impartially and objectively. Our conduct must be free from competing self-interest, prejudice, and favoritism”. During todays state of crisis, change, uncertainty, and outright frustration for “normal”, how do you cope with the stress of fairness? What’s different and what have you done? Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Valerie,
I see a different impact of fairness on the world.
Demonstrations around the world, in Lebanon, US and Belarus are protesting against a perceived unfairness. The gaps between rich and poor, powerful/less, races, political parties are widening and emotions are fed also by the perceptions of unfairness.
On the other hand, many more individuals step up to help others in need, and the strive to counter unfairness by others may be one motivation.
In business, and where the PMI Code applies most, I do not see a change in applicability. There may be some who try to exploit situations, but in general customers look at a company if it can be trusted, which is a result of honesty, fairness, respect and responsibility.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 2:50 PM
Valerie Denney
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Thomas,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I too have witnesses many more individuals stepping up to help others in need.
Regarding the PMI Code, I agree that there isn't a change in applicability--- it is the range of issues regarding fairness that has changed. For example, while working at home, project managers may be balancing educating their children, and taking care of elderly parents while trying to do their full-time PM job. I'd had people contacting me who are frustrated that they can't get hold of people in the same way as before the pandemic and some feel that they are having to do other's jobs... some feel that is not fair or equitable. I'm not siding with one side or the other... simply bringing up some of the emerging challenges.
Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
In project delivery, the four stated values are the path to successful achievement of the objectives. Its not just a matter of personal preference or ethical behavior. Responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty are the main ingredients to motivate maximum individual and team performance. In a way, you are adopting those values for selfish reasons - to shine in project delivery as a PM. That being said, it sure helps if you are a true believer.
IN answer to your question, I don't see it as more challenging in today's environment although maybe more important. Not so much due to COVID 19 but because of an increased fairness sensitivity driven by world events and global information availability (accurate or otherwise).
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 2:55 PM
Valerie Denney
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Peter,
It is wonderful to hear from you on this matter. No doubt the values are still the same, but I've heard from a number of people who are frustrated with all the unexpected changes this year.
Your point is well taken. Possibly it isn't that it isn't more challenging, but more important now. Certainly doesn't diminish the importance of the other values.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Valerie
While I hear your point of view, I personally agree with Peter. I don’t see it as being any different than pre-COVID. We have to always remember that we can’t be fair with everyone but we do what we can for the sake of the greater good.
RK
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 2:57 PM
Valerie Denney
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Rami, Thanks for chiming in here. The point is simply that I'm hearing many more people struggling with the "fairness" of so many changes and reassignments. I hardly every hear about the other values. Maybe I'm just a sounding board for frustrations.
Fairness is a good attribute that a Project Manager must practice at all times. During COVID-19 we have experimented with a lot of stress and frustration, combined with the uncertainty about the future of our projects, but that isn't a reason for don't execute our Project Management activities objectively and impartially.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 3:00 PM
Valerie Denney
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Veronica,
I completely agree that project managers must practice fairness at ALL times. In times of crisis, I maintain it may be harder to be objective and impartial. Everyone has biases. The true professional know that he or she has those biases and works ever harder to make sure the fair decision is made.
Saving Changes...
Alankar KarpeProject and program management, Speaker and mentor | WiproBangalore, India
Great perspective and the question. I see the trouble begins when fairness means different to different individuals. All of us have different value systems and that's what drives us. I don't see this debate is going to rest unless people overall agree to what it means to be fair. May be they need legal book, or a code to go to for this.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 3:01 PM
Valerie Denney
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Alankar,
You bring up one of the key points here. There isn't a universal description of what is fair. What is fair to one person isn't necessarily fair to another. To me, communications and willing to speak up on the topic is what will really get us through the day.
Thank you!
Saving Changes...
Andrew SoswaTechnology leader| Leading global financial institutionElk Grove Village, Il, United States
There are two types: "aspirational" and "practiced" principles.
PMI wrote the four as aspirational values.
Principles only hold water if the organization abides by them no matter the pain (monetary, organizational) it's causing. Yet, principles are created, and must be 'lived,' especially by the exec/mgmt team - you will always notice a discrepancy in perceived vs expected values.
Normally, it's easy to see which one is which. Most of the time, nothing can be done in top down orgs. In great Agile teams, you'll always have a Retro session to air out all issues and make the team whole, and everyone feel that fairness is a practiced principle.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 3:37 PM
Valerie Denney
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Andrew,
Thank you for this great contribution here. You bring up the PMI Code and the aspirational values. The other type is mandatory.. For fairness there are 5 statements. 2 deal with conflict of interest and disclosing it. 1 deals with protected class discrimination. The other 2 are ones that may be open to interpretation. We apply the rules of the organization "Without favoritism or prejudice".
I maintain that being self-aware is extremely important to maintain fairness.
Saving Changes...
Amany NuseibehSpeaker, Global Leader | Optimal ConsultingSydney, Nsw, Australia
@Valerie, thank you for this interesting question. I was wondering what specific examples of actions/behaviors one would deem unfair in the workplace as a result of Covid-19. Organisations might have adopted a flexible approach to working from home versus showing up at the office depending on the office size, social/physical distancing and the restrictions of numbers of people in an area/meeting room. If someone is feeling sick or have contact with anyone with symptoms they are requested to work from home - are we being unfair if we ask them to work from home? Isn't the well being of everyone more important than asking them to work from the office? and is this unfair? And if we give staff the flexibility to choose and manage by outcomes are we being unfair? And for those who have to be carers/have children that they need to home school or take care of - is giving them the flexibility to work from home described as unfair? I guess empathy and equability becomes the way we translate fairness.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 3:42 PM
Valerie Denney
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Amany,
Thank you so much for bringing up the points about compassion, empathy and equability. Since the start of the pandemic, so many individuals have additional stressors (such as having to travel long distances to find employment, having child care obligation, having children home schooled, the lack of social interaction..... there are so many more).
Given additional stressors for those who were already "stressed" (i.e. the project professional), how does one move forward. I can image there are some at the breaking point and may not be thinking as clearly (or as carefully) as they once did.
Fairness makes our world activities to move in a decent way and there will not be any dificulity. The more we are practicing fairness the more we will be safe and the life will be more easy.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Sep 09, 2020 3:44 PM
Valerie Denney
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Awadal,
That is so well said! Fairness is not only a requirement in the PMI Code, but it is part of human dignity. Practice makes perfect.
Saving Changes...
Valerie Denney Associate Professor| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- WorldwideCleveland, Sc, United States
Sep 07, 2020 8:39 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
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Valerie,
I see a different impact of fairness on the world.
Demonstrations around the world, in Lebanon, US and Belarus are protesting against a perceived unfairness. The gaps between rich and poor, powerful/less, races, political parties are widening and emotions are fed also by the perceptions of unfairness.
On the other hand, many more individuals step up to help others in need, and the strive to counter unfairness by others may be one motivation.
In business, and where the PMI Code applies most, I do not see a change in applicability. There may be some who try to exploit situations, but in general customers look at a company if it can be trusted, which is a result of honesty, fairness, respect and responsibility.
Thomas,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I too have witnesses many more individuals stepping up to help others in need.
Regarding the PMI Code, I agree that there isn't a change in applicability--- it is the range of issues regarding fairness that has changed. For example, while working at home, project managers may be balancing educating their children, and taking care of elderly parents while trying to do their full-time PM job. I'd had people contacting me who are frustrated that they can't get hold of people in the same way as before the pandemic and some feel that they are having to do other's jobs... some feel that is not fair or equitable. I'm not siding with one side or the other... simply bringing up some of the emerging challenges. Saving Changes...
Valerie Denney Associate Professor| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- WorldwideCleveland, Sc, United States
Sep 07, 2020 11:13 AM
Replying to Peter Rapin
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In project delivery, the four stated values are the path to successful achievement of the objectives. Its not just a matter of personal preference or ethical behavior. Responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty are the main ingredients to motivate maximum individual and team performance. In a way, you are adopting those values for selfish reasons - to shine in project delivery as a PM. That being said, it sure helps if you are a true believer.
IN answer to your question, I don't see it as more challenging in today's environment although maybe more important. Not so much due to COVID 19 but because of an increased fairness sensitivity driven by world events and global information availability (accurate or otherwise).
Peter,
It is wonderful to hear from you on this matter. No doubt the values are still the same, but I've heard from a number of people who are frustrated with all the unexpected changes this year.
Your point is well taken. Possibly it isn't that it isn't more challenging, but more important now. Certainly doesn't diminish the importance of the other values. Saving Changes...
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