Marc LaffertyDirector of Project Management| Edgen MurraySugar Land, Tx, United States
I recently have been thinking about something a salesman told me and I would like to hear some thoughts on the matter. The salesman told me that he is "better under pressure" to which I gave him a strange look... I asked him how and he could not really answer my question very well. I told him my definition of excellence under pressure which is this:
Anyone that tell you "I perform better under pressure" is either feeding you a line or they are not terribly self aware. It is my experience that the bar for "excelling" in a pressure situation is this... "If I find myself in crisis in any situation (be it work, home, anything) and if I get/give the same results as if that duress did not exist, then I have given you excellence under pressure"
Thanks all for your useful comments, it's put me under pressure to share my thoughts with you ??
I think getting better result under pressure is depend on some factors such as
- setting stretched dead line, but realistic.
- feeling of achieving something that will help, support other.
- challenging spirit between two groups ( I touch this in my production factory)
- PM's have to consider the characters difference in the team.
- Saving Changes...
Vijayakumar RajagopalProject Management Consultant| Oil & GasKuala Lumpur, Wp, Malaysia
Jun 08, 2017 11:26 AM
Replying to Marc Lafferty
...
First, I want to thank you all for your comments... I love starting open ended discussions and see where they go and you all have very insightful and personal thoughts on the topic and I think those are the most genuine, For those insights I thank you again.
I would like to narrow the topic just a bit if I may to this and the entire audience though we may be it and I am delighted to speak with you all. It is true as Barrie has stated that everyone has stresses in life from the paperboy to the President of the United States and it is more the way that we deal with those pressures that is those pressures/crisis/urgencies/difficult decisions (as Andrew states) that define us not only as PMs but as members of society. Those reactions from people vary from killing sprees to total withdrawal. I am certain that this group and any of our peers handle this much better but the reactions to me are remarkably vast.
I suppose all of this depends on the urgency of the situation because myself, like Mohamad mentions, I like to incorporate exercise as I am an avid runner and exercise person who uses that as a stress relief but like Eric mentions, those release endophins and adreneline which heightens the senses to response. I think it all depends on the required response time...
Here is the follow up question:
Say you need to make a quick decision (one that requires a response within the hour) what though processes do you go through to make that decision? What do you lean on most? Experience? Environmental factors (culture, boss pressure, etc)? Deadline? Your team or circle of advisers? Other? I would love to hear your thoughts...
By the way, Sonali, I too make more mistakes in this scenario but there are times when you just have to make the best decision for the moment and learn from them if possible.
My response to specific question " Say you need to make a quick decision (one that requires a response within the hour) what though processes do you go through to make that decision? What do you lean on most? Experience? Environmental factors (culture, boss pressure, etc)? Deadline? Your team or circle of advisers? Other? I would love to hear your thoughts."
My immediate response would be to analyze and work out a decision based on my experience. Given one hour notice and practicality of adviser's being available for a conversation, the above would be reconsidered or refined with additional facts/ inputs Saving Changes...
Barrie RobinsonProject Manager| Grindstone Turnkey Solutions (pty) LtdNewcastle, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Thanks Marc, for me, as I'm sure is true for most PMs, I'm rather analytical. I'm often faced with spur of the moment choices and rely strongly on the systems in place to direct my thinking trying to keep emotion out of the decisions I make.
that being said this is the real world and we can only do so much in this regard. i then move to a simple triage plan - which option is best for the Project, which is best for the client, which is best for my company, which is best for my team and if it makes a difference to me long term. In that order
This approach has stood me in good stead but it can be difficult to get buy in from a client if the decision is to put the project first. I've also had it where the decision was best for the project and not my company and its tough to implement but at the end of the day project first and everything normally falls into place from there.
B Saving Changes...
Jess De OcampoLean Six Sigma Professional/Project Manager/Consultant/| .Manila, Ncr, Philippines
Jun 07, 2017 10:25 PM
Replying to Mohamad Fararjeh
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Let's face it, we all have to face pressure, in all aspects of life. No matter how we look at it, we have to make decisions. Making decisions under pressure can be costly, if the wrong decision is made.
Decision under pressure, in my opinion and based on experience, have to wait, as we sleep on it. The next day you may see things better with other ideas generated.
Personally, if I am under pressure, what I do, I take a break, and go jogging. For me it works great, i feel, with the blood running in my system, I see things better, and I am able to relax and generate ideas to deal with the issues. Try it, I am sure you will enjoy it.
As for decisions, I wrote about this topic, you may read at this link:
Yes, I agree with Mohamad. We do all have to face pressure in all aspects of our life. For me, the word pressure has a negative connotation--something that is very demanding and sometimes even threatening. How to respond to that ''pressure, is what makes the difference.
Working 'under pressure' has its pros and cons. Pressure can be a 'pro' wherein, it is a catalyst that creates a sense of urgency to do something immediately, to meet a deadline, targets, deliverables, etc. But it can be a 'con', too. Pressure can paralyze your thinking not to mention the stress and anxiety. When you're so pressured, it clouds your emotions and thinking, you make impulsive decisions. And as Mohamad mentioned, "making decisions under pressure can be costly." I learned this the hard way..
Sometimes pressure is unecessary and unjustifiable. Are timelines, targets, etc. realistic?
Is it within your authority and scope of responsibility?
My mentor told me to view pressure as a challenge and an opportunity. It was difficult at first because you have to psychologically condition your mind to think objectively, positively and consistently practice it until it becomes your normal response to pressure.
Yes, I also do the same when I am under pressure...I take a break...sleep on it, retrospect, reach out and seek advice maybe how I see the pressure is the issue itself. Saving Changes...
Jess De OcampoLean Six Sigma Professional/Project Manager/Consultant/| .Manila, Ncr, Philippines
Jun 08, 2017 11:26 AM
Replying to Marc Lafferty
...
First, I want to thank you all for your comments... I love starting open ended discussions and see where they go and you all have very insightful and personal thoughts on the topic and I think those are the most genuine, For those insights I thank you again.
I would like to narrow the topic just a bit if I may to this and the entire audience though we may be it and I am delighted to speak with you all. It is true as Barrie has stated that everyone has stresses in life from the paperboy to the President of the United States and it is more the way that we deal with those pressures that is those pressures/crisis/urgencies/difficult decisions (as Andrew states) that define us not only as PMs but as members of society. Those reactions from people vary from killing sprees to total withdrawal. I am certain that this group and any of our peers handle this much better but the reactions to me are remarkably vast.
I suppose all of this depends on the urgency of the situation because myself, like Mohamad mentions, I like to incorporate exercise as I am an avid runner and exercise person who uses that as a stress relief but like Eric mentions, those release endophins and adreneline which heightens the senses to response. I think it all depends on the required response time...
Here is the follow up question:
Say you need to make a quick decision (one that requires a response within the hour) what though processes do you go through to make that decision? What do you lean on most? Experience? Environmental factors (culture, boss pressure, etc)? Deadline? Your team or circle of advisers? Other? I would love to hear your thoughts...
By the way, Sonali, I too make more mistakes in this scenario but there are times when you just have to make the best decision for the moment and learn from them if possible.
" Say you need to make a quick decision (one that requires a response within the hour) what though processes do you go through to make that decision? What do you lean on most? Experience? Environmental factors (culture, boss pressure, etc)? Deadline? Your team or circle of advisers? Other? I would love to hear your thoughts."
My answer: It depends on what I am going to make a decision about. It would be a combination of my experience and solicited advice from my team/advisers. Definitely, I would balance things; weigh pros and cons; what are the risks and what is the impact of making that decision. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Jun 08, 2017 11:26 AM
Replying to Marc Lafferty
...
First, I want to thank you all for your comments... I love starting open ended discussions and see where they go and you all have very insightful and personal thoughts on the topic and I think those are the most genuine, For those insights I thank you again.
I would like to narrow the topic just a bit if I may to this and the entire audience though we may be it and I am delighted to speak with you all. It is true as Barrie has stated that everyone has stresses in life from the paperboy to the President of the United States and it is more the way that we deal with those pressures that is those pressures/crisis/urgencies/difficult decisions (as Andrew states) that define us not only as PMs but as members of society. Those reactions from people vary from killing sprees to total withdrawal. I am certain that this group and any of our peers handle this much better but the reactions to me are remarkably vast.
I suppose all of this depends on the urgency of the situation because myself, like Mohamad mentions, I like to incorporate exercise as I am an avid runner and exercise person who uses that as a stress relief but like Eric mentions, those release endophins and adreneline which heightens the senses to response. I think it all depends on the required response time...
Here is the follow up question:
Say you need to make a quick decision (one that requires a response within the hour) what though processes do you go through to make that decision? What do you lean on most? Experience? Environmental factors (culture, boss pressure, etc)? Deadline? Your team or circle of advisers? Other? I would love to hear your thoughts...
By the way, Sonali, I too make more mistakes in this scenario but there are times when you just have to make the best decision for the moment and learn from them if possible.
Marc, still depends. And, more than likely, a combination of 'elements', mostly chosen subconsciously. If you have built a strong network, lean on them for assistance. And still, depending on how strong that network is, that action could also be subconscious.
There is also something else to note. Those that remain diligent in their daily work efforts - doing things that are necessary even when 'no-one is looking', are the building blocks to providing a solid framework to base larger decisions - some of which have a short fuse. Saving Changes...
