As project managers, we are often expected to remove blockers, resolve conflicts, coordinate decisions, and keep delivery moving.
But I sometimes wonder whether stepping in too quickly can create a different problem.
When the PM repeatedly becomes the person who resolves every issue, teams may gradually start waiting for the PM instead of taking ownership and solving problems themselves.
At the same time, staying out for too long can allow a small issue to become a major delivery risk.4
So where should a project manager draw the line?
How do you decide when to:
- Step in and actively resolve an issue?
- Coach the team and let them find the solution?
- Simply observe and allow the team to learn from the situation?
In my experience, one of the harder parts of project leadership is knowing not just how to solve a problem, but when not to solve it yourself.
How do you approach this balance?
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