Colin GautreyAuthor, Executive Coach and Trainer| The Gautrey GroupUnited Kingdom
Fascinating webinar the other week on Diagnosing Power Dynamics around Your Project.
We discussed a great deal, including the key challenges facing project managers at the moment. But I didn't get the chance to ask this one - should project managers pursue power? What do you think?
Colin, Great presentation. I think it depends on the culture of the organization in which the PM is functioning. What form of power is respected by your stakeholders, including sponsor? Has she provided you with enough perceived power? Is your Leadership and Influencing skills (referent) strong enough to be effective when you do not have formal power?
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1 reply by Colin Gautrey
Jul 19, 2016 4:30 AM
Colin Gautrey
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Thank you Demetrius, appreciate your vote of confidence. Yes, it certainly depends on what form of power. If you recall from the webinar, power is the capacity to influence, and it is important that PMs have the power they need in order to achieve their project aims/goals. Naturally there will be some group power at play, such as the combination of PM and Sponsor. Fundamentally thought, the project needs to be backed up by enough power to get the job done.
Saving Changes...
Colin GautreyAuthor, Executive Coach and Trainer| The Gautrey GroupUnited Kingdom
Jul 18, 2016 8:57 PM
Replying to Demetrius Williams
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Colin, Great presentation. I think it depends on the culture of the organization in which the PM is functioning. What form of power is respected by your stakeholders, including sponsor? Has she provided you with enough perceived power? Is your Leadership and Influencing skills (referent) strong enough to be effective when you do not have formal power?
Thank you Demetrius, appreciate your vote of confidence. Yes, it certainly depends on what form of power. If you recall from the webinar, power is the capacity to influence, and it is important that PMs have the power they need in order to achieve their project aims/goals. Naturally there will be some group power at play, such as the combination of PM and Sponsor. Fundamentally thought, the project needs to be backed up by enough power to get the job done. Saving Changes...
Thanks Colin. I attended the live webinar, and found it helpful. I also subscribed to newsletter.
Should project managers pursue power?
I think a PM should not pursue power, but should be capable of blending & using powers (legitimate, expert, coercive, reward, referent) noticeably.
Best
Anupam
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1 reply by Colin Gautrey
Jul 21, 2016 2:30 AM
Colin Gautrey
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Hello Anupam, I like the way you say about PMs blending and using power. Projects need to be vested with sufficient power to get the job done.
Saving Changes...
Graig GuillotteProject Manager| Agile DefenseSumter, Sc, United States
In no scenario should the PM pursue power. Responsibility and accountability are grant based on the charter, structured from the business rules and practices of the organization. Power however is derived from the leadership, mentoring, and managing capabilities of the PM and is earned. Saving Changes...
Colin GautreyAuthor, Executive Coach and Trainer| The Gautrey GroupUnited Kingdom
Jul 19, 2016 7:07 AM
Replying to Anupam
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Thanks Colin. I attended the live webinar, and found it helpful. I also subscribed to newsletter.
Should project managers pursue power?
I think a PM should not pursue power, but should be capable of blending & using powers (legitimate, expert, coercive, reward, referent) noticeably.
Best
Anupam
Hello Anupam, I like the way you say about PMs blending and using power. Projects need to be vested with sufficient power to get the job done. Saving Changes...
Christian VelazquezBARA Process Lead| Cadena de Descuento BARAMonterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
I think that for a professional growth perpective is definitely necessary to seek an increase of power and influence. Saving Changes...
Greg GithensAuthor, "How to Think Strategically." Executive & Leadership Coach| Catalyst & Cadre LLCLakewood Ranch, Fl, United States
If a person wants to be effective in working with executives, they must understand that the definition of politics is "the acquisition and use of power for beneficial purposes."
Many people see politics as something bad. Not true. The issue is with ethical considerations of how you define "good" versus "bad" behavior. Politics and power are "good" if your ethical reasoning is sound.
If a person wants to stay hidden in low-level technical activities, they are free to do so. They (and observers) shouldn't be surprised if they have little organizational impact. Saving Changes...
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