I am the one behind the wheel. My role is to get us to the destination. All they have to do is to decide on a place to dine. I can understand if the confusion is due to the countless cuisines to choose from or maybe due to our various taste palates. No, that’s not why a simple decision to choose a restaurant turns into a long and overdrawn process for my friends, while I aimlessly drive around. We are too considerate. We want to be non-imposing. So instead of being forthright about our preference we respond with,
“I don’t know.”
“What do you like?”
“You decide.”
“I am ok with anything.”
Well… guess what? Anything’s not on the menu.
Project teams are no different. When there is a problem at hand and we need to make a quick collective decision, we go into long discussions, debates and arguments… till it comes to a point when the leader has to step in and make a decision.
Hey team, why can’t you make decisions collectively?
Are you too creative with your thought process that you find it tough to get the point across and convince anyone?
Are you afraid that your decision will get shot down and you don’t want to look like a fool?
Is it because you don’t want to be held accountable that you leave that decision for others to make, even though you know you know what will work?
Or do you not care?
Whatever your reason, you seem to forget that you are part of a team. You are not alone. There are no bad decisions, no wrong moves. There are only lessons to learn from. So be open minded and give creativity a chance. Encourage and support new ideas. Create an environment driven by accountability and trust.
Make decisions.
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Great post! It would be good to see a follow-up post to this one discussing specific techniques for facilitating a team decision and/or how to get enough good information as a project manager to make the right decision yourself.
Cheers!
Josh Nankivel
pmStudent.com
Amen! I have to say, I am very wishy-washy when it comes to making decisions outside of work, my husband gets on my case and says “Aren’t you a project manager? You’re supposed to be able to make decisions!”. Well, I like taking time off
Right, in the end…anything is not an option and the group needs to make decisions together. Nice post!
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great post from an author/person i admire a lot. very true,that in a team culture, it is essential that everyone contributes — not everyone has the right solution but everyone has a potential solution! BUT why doesnt ‘everyone’ contribute in a team meeting? – 1. they are too worried whether they are wrong and ‘confused’ about the consequences 2. they dont care. the ball’s back in the managers court?
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Accountability, initiative, creativity some of my favorite words! Show me a team where all members participate and have a voice without any worry that their idea(s) will not be looked upon as wrong/overlooked, silly, unimportant and you would be showing me a group of connected, passionate, intuitive, highly driven individuals.
Hold yourself accountable, challenge yourself to truly participate when you become a part of a team, and care. Easier said then done for most. But I for one love to be a part of a team and look forward to other great posts from those who have great ideas to share from their own personal team experiences.