The bottom line in my opinion is you have to deliver on expectations of the individuals or teams consistently for some time. Assuming you understand their “hot buttons”. Knowing how folks involved in the project perceive it will aid you in how to hit the trust bull’s-eye. Doing what you say is critical, down the road is also puts you in a position to kindly ask the same. A project charter is a great tool for this. Saving Changes...
Wai Mun KooPMO Director| Intergraph PP&MSingapore, Singapore
The first thing is be open and truthful. Tell them the truth and tell them what they need to know. People hate to be kept in the dark and that triggers confusion and anxiety too. Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Honesty is the best policy. Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
Honesty, Trust, Openness, Integrity. I've written about them here.
In terms of exercises, I find that sharing information from above is helpful. Pass on everything that you can. If it isn't helpful directly for the project, it could help them see the bigger picture in the company. Saving Changes...
Elizabeth, I like your four tenets of trust. One thing I like about tips it that they should be easy to remember and apply so you will use them.
Mark; honesty is the best policy. It will be one of the major characters of leadership your team will be looking for to get over their fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD). Team don't naturally just trust their project manager and team members so honesty will certainly calm the FUD factor.
Wai, openess comes with experience. Project Managers need to practice this with their team so it becomes a natural part of their leadership style.
Eric; great comments on a project manager's accountability, key issues with teams and use of the project charter. Right up front acknowledge and define the expectations and uncover the "hot buttons" or this will bite you as a project manager. The project charter is my favorite tool.
Any other thoughts on this topic? Saving Changes...
