PM without Power

How to manage without supreme executive power

Project Manager

● 1.1 Vision and Purpose (PMI)● As practitioners of project management,

we are committed to doing what is right and honorable. We set high standards for ourselves and we aspire to meet these standards in all aspects of our lives—at work, at home, and in service to our profession.

PM without Power

● To get it done, you need 3 things.➢ Responsibility

• obligation to accomplish goals• commitment to do it

➢ 2.1 Description of Responsibility (PMI)• Responsibility is our duty to take ownership for

the decisions we make or fail to make, the actions we take or fail to take, and the consequences that result.

PM without Power

● To get it done, you need 3 things.➢ Responsibility➢ Resource

• people, money, time to accomplish it➢ Authority

• the clout to order people around• to signing power for purchase orders• the right to make decisions• But we don't have that kind of authority

Authority Types

● Role➢ granted by position in hierarchy through Legal

(gov't and business), Tradition (culture/religion)➢ Powers:

• Legitimate: power to act, power over resources (have budget and staff), limited in some way (board, law).

• Coercive: hire, fire, threat, punishment• Reward: give and take to influence compliance• Personal: charisma• ...can be taken away.

➢ Will you have this role?

Authority Types

● Knowledge➢ domain expertise➢ sometimes wielded by withholding information➢ awareness of business requirements

interrelated with domain● Can you expect to have this?● Is this what a PM is there for?

Authority Types

● Relationship➢ What is this? (take a few minutes, then

discuss)➢ Built on your character, social interactions,

and reputation.➢ The way to gain a good reputation is to

endeavor to be what you desire to appear. – Socrates

➢ Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs. – Anthony J. D'Angelo

Ethics

● Relationship Authority proceeds from Ethics● Ethics:

➢ From the Greek ethos – character➢ social rules and principles

● Morals: ➢ personal rules and principles➢ internalized from various precepts: religious,

cultural, philosophical.

Ethics

● The Golden Rule➢ Whoever has the gold, makes the rule.

● Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

➢ ...however, others may not like that.● OK, seriously: universality of the rule

Ethics

● Religions and humanism agree on compassion.➢ Be kind because everyone is fighting a great battle.

● It's not just how you feel...➢ Be great in act, as you have been in thought. –

Shakespeare, King John, Act 5, Scene 1➢ You must be the change you want to see in the

world. – Ghandi➢ The meaning of life is to discover your gift. The

purpose of life is to give it away.

Ethics

Yes, yes, yes,we should be good to each

other, in thought and action,but how?

Ethics

Ethics

● The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz➢ Chapter titles are useful

in practice as a Project Manager● Be Impeccable with Your Word● Don't take Anything Personally● Don't make Assumptions● Always Do Your Best

Ethics

● Be Impeccable with Your Word● Say what you mean. Mean what you say.● Can people trust what you say?● Your word is your bond.● Don't gossip:

➢ No speaking for others or guessing their meaning.

● Communicate early and often. See this link.

Ethics

● Don't take Anything Personally● Because others are not always

impeccable with their word.● Sometimes it really is “just business”● Some personality types find this one

easier than other types.

Ethics

● Don't make Assumptions● What happens when you assume?

➢ It makes an ASS of U and ME.

● Facts ≠ Truth● There is no certainty. Change is the way

of the universe.● What is the power of uncertainty?

Ethics

● Always Do Your Best● A professional is...?

➢ Someone who does a good job even when they don't want to.

● This is me, this is who I am. I know my strengths and weaknesses.

● Value rest and play.Exhaustion is not a status symbol.

● The number of vacation days you did NOT take is not a measure of your worth

Resources● The Project Manager by Dhanu Kothari ● The theoretical and practical aspects of

power and authority, role and conflict● The Responsible Authority Gorilla● PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Co

nduct● Influence Without Authority● Stack Exchange: Responsibility...Authorit

y● Responsibility vs. Authority