It is ironic really, that in spite of more tools, techniques and processes being available to the project management profession, up to 40% of all projects continue to fail. And that is in a period of economic uncertainty and increased competition when we should be spending our resources carefully and deliver more value at a lower cost. Instead, it seems, financial and human resources are being wasted on failing projects. If you look around and observe the kinds of projects you have been involved in, would you say that time and resources could have been better utilized? 
 
The world is changing at a faster and faster speed and the project management profession needs to change with it. New technologies, agile methods and global teams are just some of the factors that impact us. In addition the global economic crisis means that funding is limited and that we to a greater extent have to justify our projects, and look for new and better ways in which we can deliver the same outcomes and benefits in a cost-effective manner. There is a constant need to grow and to adapt to these factors – and that is exactly what project management means to me; the opportunity to learn and develop as managers and leaders with a view to delivering the most valuable projects to everyone involved. 
 
As Charles Darwin famously said; “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”. The project management profession needs to up its game, learn from past mistakes and deliver better quality projects. For that to happen we have to question, innovate, take risks and change old working patterns that are no longer serving us. We must learn, grow and develop and utilize the most effective project management and leadership techniques available to us. We must sharpen the saw as Stephen Covey put it. 

Our industry is in need of more project managers who want to learn from past mistakes and who have a real desire to develop and become great leaders and ambassadors for better ways of doing projects. And we need more senior managers who acknowledge the importance of this and who are willing to support it. Imagine what a difference that would make. Imagine if all project managers and their teams were working towards a common goal of continuous improvement and innovation, and if they shared the same enthusiasm and understanding of how to go about delivering the best  possible product to the customer with the least amount of resources. That would be a dream come true! But dreams and dream teams only come about when someone takes the lead and has the vision and insight to show the way. 

Our society needs project leaders more than ever before and our more-for-less culture demands it. Given the right environment, the right mindset and the right support I believe that all project managers have the potential to be great leaders. Being a leader is not something which is limited to CEOs of a large company. Anyone can be a leader within their field as it is dependent on the attitudes and behaviors that you possess more so than the job title you hold.
 
My vision and desire is to see more project managers transform into great project leaders; project leaders who continuously improve and innovate; who partner with their clients with a view to delivering what they need rather than what they want; and who maximize human potential by motivating and inspiring everybody around them to contribute to the project’s overall goal. My mission is to assist project managers with this transformation. To see them become valuable mentors to others and be part of a new culture in the workplace. 

The world needs your genius and it needs your leadership!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, or have attended one of my talks, you will know that I always encourage people to grow and develop; to try new ways and to be the best that they can be. That implicitly means stepping outside of their comfort zone for a moment and trying a new technique or stretching themselves in a way in which they haven’t been stretched before. For some this is a welcome opportunity to experiment and learn something new. For others it’s something they’re not very comfortable with because it’s unknown and unfamiliar. 

Our need for certainty
How we react to external events is to a large extent determined by our basic human needs and their relative order of importance to us. To many people, the need for certainty and security is dominant, and far outweighs the need for uncertainty, growth and variety. When that happens we become control freaks who cling onto that which is known. We’re ok doing something new as long as someone guarantees us that it will work! But when there is too much risk we shy away. Just think about it for a moment. Have you ever let fear or discomfort hold you back from doing something exciting because it introduced more uncertainty than you were comfortable with – for instance in relation to a job opening or an opportunity to present to an audience?  
 
The obvious issue with our need for certainly and security is that it hinders our development and slows down our progress. We use it as an excuse to not try something. How often have you read a book or listened to a presentation which contained some great ideas, but you never implemented them because they seemed too different to what you were used to?

The project manager who was fearful of change
I recently coached a project manager who was bored in his job. He said that it contained no stretch or development opportunity and that he was only working at 60% of his capacity. He wanted to progress into a more senior position, and knew that he had to find a new job in order to do so. But in spite of logically knowing that he needed to move on, he said that he wasn’t going to. He valued the security and his manager’s support in him too much. He knew that he could earn as much in another role but he was uncomfortable with the risk of not being paid for a couple of weeks in between jobs. This project manager felt torn between his need for certainty and his need for growth and variety. It was only when we had an in-depth conversation about his fears that he realised how much he had allowed his need for certainty and stability to control his choices.
 
In order to progress and achieve that which we want we have to try new things, take risks and expand our comfort zone. We don’t have to do it in a big and scary way. We can take small steps each day which gradually stretch us and move us in the right direction. And remember, that it’s normal to feel uncomfortable when you’re doing something you’re not used it. Discomfort can be a good sign; a sign that you are developing and growing. Don’t let discomfort deter you. Let it motivate you and inspire you to take action.

What is the next step for you? 
The question is how you are going to use this in your own life. What are the items that are firmly outside of your own comfort zone and you know that if you were to master them it would make a big difference to your personal and professional life? Maybe giving a presentation is outside of your comfort zone; dealing with conflict; improvising; or asking for feedback. I would like you to think about one item in particular which you feel would make the biggest positive difference to your professional achievements if you were to master it. Please write it down.

Now I would like you to close your eyes for a moment and imagine that you have conquered the very thing which is outside of your comfort zone. See yourself doing it, imagine it in your mind’s eye and feel how good it feels to finally master it. Feel how strong you are and imagine what you will be doing, feeling and hearing once you master it. The beauty about expanding your comfort zone, and doing the things you want in spite of feeling uncomfortable, is that your confidence will grow exponentially. You will get a boost of energy and an appetite for continuing to grow.

So my invitation to you is to first and foremost ponder on how much you allow your need for certainty and stability to control your choices. Secondly I encourage you to expand your comfort zone step by step, and to let your steady growth and progression provide you the certainly you need rather than having to cling on to the old ways. 
 

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