5) Be the First to Change

As a leader, the change begins with you. If you are truly going to be a leader, you have to “fully engage” and say, “I am going to strive to be the first person to embrace this change.” If you have achieved a leadership position, presumably you have been a person that has embraced change and responsibilities. Like Tom Peters says, “Enjoy the chaos.”

Whenever there is change in an environment, the leader must demonstrate that the change is going to be agreeable and accepted. If an organization, environment, or process is going to change, the manager must lead the way, understanding that he or she may have to reset expectations and performance measurements. Do this swiftly and overtly, and the staff will follow.

6) Demonstrate a Positive Attitude

The leader is always a beacon for the project environment. The people that report to the leader will reflect whatever attitude the project manager brings to this environment. To understand how powerful your perception is, all you need to do is go to work and look worried. Watch your team react to this. The entire team will pick-up on your changed behavior and begin to feel nervous, as they wonder what is troubling you. As a manager you must exude a realistic, but positive attitude through your behavior in order to instill confidence and manage fear.

Ultimately, the goal is to move the organization forward and accomplish your project goals. Using appropriate strategies to manage fear within your project team will help everyone navigate the obstacles of change more quickly and assure you avoid hidden “icebergs.”

Bob McGannon and Conrad Imel work with MINDAVATION, a company providing project management services, leadership workshops and team building programs throughout North America. Mindavation can be reached at MINDAVATION via the web at WWW.MINDAVATION.COM or by calling 866-888-MIND (6463).

<< back