Control shouldn’t be part of project management

If you are a project manager and think you have the power to control your team, please check yourself.

If you are a team member and resent your project manager because you think they were put there to control you, please check yourself.

👉 Project management isn’t about control.

It’s about connection. ⭐

Yes, project managers seek to ensure pieces of the project happen in a certain order, by certain people, at a certain time to a certain standard, but they should do so through connection, not control.

Connection through activities like checking in, asking questions, leading difficult conversations, etc.

Project managers are not responsible for the actions of others, anymore than those people should feel controlled by them. They aren't walking around “controlling” projects and the people involved. And, despite what some of you may want to believe, PMs don’t have magic wands or super powers. 😉

(Yes, it’s true that some people abuse their positions and power - that’s a bigger topic).

When we control, we attempt to reduce the power of others, but when we connect, we create a stronger force together. 💪

Here are some ways you can build connection with your team:

⭐ Regularly checking in and asking them how they are doing.
⭐ Getting to know them on an appropriately personal level.
⭐ Offering help or support when appropriate.
⭐ Doing what you say you are going to do.
⭐ Actually caring.