Hello everybody, I kindly ask you a little question about negotiating with more exprimented PM and team members. I don't know how I exactly would approach to someone, in order to suggest that the way they are doing some stuff could be improved without hurting their pride. I have tried but I haven't earned any results because this people always tell me about "how many years of experience they have and how they know how things have to be well done to have successful projects".
Have you ever been in this kind of situation? What would you do?
This people is a member of my own work team, we participate in different projects and we belong to the same Company. I am the PM of this IT particular Project and they are more like external and financial auditors.
Thanks in advance! Saving Changes...
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Tom DierschRetiredBurnaby, British Columbia, Canada
One thing you may try is to involve others in your investigation of improvements. You mention Internal Auditors. Mostly despised by departmental managers, they are able to investigate and propose alternatives to poor practices. Make friends with the folks in Internal Audit and find out where they have made suggestions to managment and try to help fix those identified problems.
As an IT person, you will often find that your suggestions are not welcomed. The new systems and processes will result in organizational change and people don't want to change. I would suggest that you proceed meekly, with much respect and deference and try and identify what the manager sees as issues in their work. Try first to understand what they are doing, then to understand what their problems are. Don't try to quickly identify solutions. Sometimes a general topic like "what will this function look like in 5 years" is a way to get to understand their views, perspectives and goals.
Understanding is much more important than providing a solution. Listen 5x as much as talking. Build a friendship, a trust. Find out about them on a personal level and create a connection. Only then will they be open to a suggestion.
If they are not interested, build your network widely at your company and find someone who has a problem that they would like you to solve and do a great job for them. Others will come around eventually if you have a solid track record for delivering results.
good luck! Saving Changes...
You are right, i'll try to change the method of approaching I want to trust my team as much I want they trust me so I'll be concentrated in the developing of the trust and the relationship. Thanks again! Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I have been trained into Harvard Negotiation School (Fisher and Ury). It works for me in my personal life and in my work life. Saving Changes...
Ganesh SrinivasanGanesh PMO (PMP, PMI-SP, ITIL-F)| MNC BankChennai, India
Hi Sergio,
Thanks, Is it possible share some tips on Negotions based on your trainings.
Do not be afraid to face pros in their field. If you think that there is a problem, then clearly state it in front your team, and request help from them to design solutions (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagrama_de_Ishikawa). As you know, everything is preparedness, then prepare yourself and your team for a root cause analysis session. Assign time, a meeting room, define rules of the session. Define a person that leads and control the session. and go ahead!... you would be surprised for all the insight and solutions you already have within your team. Saving Changes...
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