Jefferson DurandSenior Engineering Technician| Dominica Water and Sewerage Company LimitedRoseau, Dominica
When we understand that the people we work with are not equipment that can be switched on and off at our convenience then we see productivity and alliances take a completely different turn. I have seen people who were said to be "difficult to work with" stand with me in some very difficult situations. Many times, what we put in to the relationships is what we get out.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Very true, Jefferson. You should invest in building relationships with your team, not only when you need something from them, but consistently over time. Taking the time to understand people's strengths, challenges, motivations, and perspectives helps create trust and mutual respect. When team members feel valued and supported, they are more engaged, collaborative, and willing to go the extra mile during difficult situations.
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1 reply by Jefferson Durand
Jun 12, 2026 10:38 AM
Jefferson Durand
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Even with machinery we need to keep them well maintained to get the best performance out of them.
People are far more than machinery and we can do exceptional feats when we feel motivated to do so. Necessity is the mother of inventions because we can innovate and invent things which literally blow the mind when the need arises.
A team who is ready to innovate in whatever area that they are needed is a priceless help to have.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
An important reminder.
One of the most damaging habits in project environments is not treating people badly. It is treating people primarily as resources.
Resources can be allocated, scheduled, and replaced.
Relationships cannot.
What many leaders discover during difficult projects is that formal authority, plans, and processes have limits. When uncertainty increases, deadlines slip, or unexpected problems emerge, the quality of relationships often becomes more important than the quality of the plan itself.
Trust, respect, and genuine interest in people create forms of commitment that cannot be mandated and rarely appear on a dashboard. Yet these invisible factors frequently determine whether teams merely comply or willingly support one another when challenges arise.
Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions in management is believing that people produce results because they are assigned to a project. More often, they produce extraordinary results because they feel valued, respected, and connected to a shared purpose.
Have we become so focused on managing resources that we sometimes underestimate the organizational value of investing in relationships?
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1 reply by Jefferson Durand
Jun 12, 2026 10:53 AM
Jefferson Durand
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Exactly! Sometimes there are principles that we know but we need to be reminded of them and sometimes they are principles that we were not aware of that we need to adopt.
In the grand scheme of things we need to remain cognizant of the principles, values and mindsets that really deliver quality. Understanding that quality is different from deliverables. As we progress and as environments evolve, we need to keep focused on the principles that have worked for generations. Let us build on them and see amazing results
People are not tools you plug in when needed. When you take time to understand someone labeled "difficult," you often find they need to be heard. Respect that, and they become your strongest allies when things get tough. Saving Changes...
Program Manager| HARPER SRLSanto Domingo / Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
Sometimes people thrive when they feel respected, trusted, and supported, even when others considered them difficult to work with. Often, strong collaboration is built through consistent interactions and mutual respect rather than processes or tools alone. Saving Changes...
Jefferson DurandSenior Engineering Technician| Dominica Water and Sewerage Company LimitedRoseau, Dominica
Jun 09, 2026 7:27 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Very true, Jefferson. You should invest in building relationships with your team, not only when you need something from them, but consistently over time. Taking the time to understand people's strengths, challenges, motivations, and perspectives helps create trust and mutual respect. When team members feel valued and supported, they are more engaged, collaborative, and willing to go the extra mile during difficult situations.
Even with machinery we need to keep them well maintained to get the best performance out of them.
People are far more than machinery and we can do exceptional feats when we feel motivated to do so. Necessity is the mother of inventions because we can innovate and invent things which literally blow the mind when the need arises.
A team who is ready to innovate in whatever area that they are needed is a priceless help to have. Saving Changes...
Jefferson DurandSenior Engineering Technician| Dominica Water and Sewerage Company LimitedRoseau, Dominica
Jun 10, 2026 3:35 AM
Replying to Luis Branco
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An important reminder.
One of the most damaging habits in project environments is not treating people badly. It is treating people primarily as resources.
Resources can be allocated, scheduled, and replaced.
Relationships cannot.
What many leaders discover during difficult projects is that formal authority, plans, and processes have limits. When uncertainty increases, deadlines slip, or unexpected problems emerge, the quality of relationships often becomes more important than the quality of the plan itself.
Trust, respect, and genuine interest in people create forms of commitment that cannot be mandated and rarely appear on a dashboard. Yet these invisible factors frequently determine whether teams merely comply or willingly support one another when challenges arise.
Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions in management is believing that people produce results because they are assigned to a project. More often, they produce extraordinary results because they feel valued, respected, and connected to a shared purpose.
Have we become so focused on managing resources that we sometimes underestimate the organizational value of investing in relationships?
Exactly! Sometimes there are principles that we know but we need to be reminded of them and sometimes they are principles that we were not aware of that we need to adopt.
In the grand scheme of things we need to remain cognizant of the principles, values and mindsets that really deliver quality. Understanding that quality is different from deliverables. As we progress and as environments evolve, we need to keep focused on the principles that have worked for generations. Let us build on them and see amazing results Saving Changes...
When you treat your team members like tools, you become one. The strongest teams aren't built through control and utilization; they're built through trust and relationships. Saving Changes...
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