HOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVE THE DUAL ROLE OF PROJECT MANAGER AND LINE MANAGER. IM EXPERIENCING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND FIND IT A BIG TASK WITH CONFLICTING ROLES. IM USED TO NEGOTIATING RESOURCE FROM LINE MANAGERS AND LEAVING IT TO THEM TO ADDRESS PERSONAL ISSUES RELATING TO THEIR DAY TO DAY JOBS PLUS MANAGING THEIR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO BE CRITICAL OF THEIR WORK. ITS ALSO DIFFICULT TO BE THE GOOD COP AND THE BAD COP AND BE MATES WITH YOUR TEAM ASWELL AS MANAGING THE INTERPERSONAL ISSUES. IT DOESNT LEAVE MUCH ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO HEAR OF ANY SIMILAR EXPERINCES Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Do you email your team in ALLCAPS, too? ;)
I personally prefer to be the direct manager over resources on my projects. Easier to set expectations and priorities as you need it. If they're truly a good employee (whatever that means to you), then you shouldn't have to play the bad cop too often.
Sounds like you might need to be very up front with your team members: You are operating in a dual capacity (as you stated), which will only allow self-starters/self-managers to report to you. Set your expectations clearly...if they need hand-holding, then they're not right for your team. If they just need minor championing or mentoring, then great.
