Our latest staff meeting agenda included a list of the Seven Beliefs of Success. The one that hit me between the eyes was “Take responsibility no matter what”. I’ve frequently stated during a project that every problem with a project leads back to the project manager. This doesn’t mean that the PM is to blame for everything that goes wrong. But I have found that 99% of the time, the project manager can either alleviate a problem or help a team member to do so. In spite of this belief, however, I often wonder if I’m being unrealistic by taking on so much responsibility? Could it be that I just do it as a way of not addressing the real problem? Or maybe I’m just a control freak. So I felt comforted when I heard this suggestion was actually a key to success. The implication is that taking responsibility can be empowering. That’s different from being controlling.
Just this week I had to perform a task on a project that isn’t normally a part of my role. The core of the problem was that I had not explained my expectations for the task to the team. So it was down to the wire and I had to do it. What I found was that being forced to carry out a task because I hadn’t delegated it properly was empowering. Not only did I learn a new skill, but now I know exactly how to set expectations for that task on the next project. I guess taking responsibility sometimes involves showing others exactly how they can take responsibility. I can do that. Now on to the other six beliefs of success . . .
It’s great that this message stuck with you Sandie. It’s a terrific reminder for us all. I also struggled with my role on a recent project. I don’t think the project manager and I were on the same page on what my role should be, so it was pretty frustrating for us both. Keeping this message in mind would have helped me manage it with more poise and less complaint I think.